St. Bernadette Parish Scottsdale recently issued the following announcement.

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows celebrated on September 15th, dates back to the twelfth century. Since at least that time, Catholics have recognized seven events in the life of Mary that caused her great sorrow. That is why the image of Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows often shows her with seven swords piercing her Immaculate Heart. She’s also sometimes represented by a winged heart pierced with seven swords. The swords represent her grievous sorrows. Known as the Seven Dolors of Mary, these sorrows are: 

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) 

2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) 

3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 

4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17) 

5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30) 

6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31- 37) 

7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50- 56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47) 

That’s a lot for one woman to endure in a lifetime! Yet, Mary wasn’t just another woman; she was the woman chosen by God to bear his Son. With that great joy and responsibility also came great sorrow. Along with her great joy and sorrow came great love – for each one of us as her children. This is what our Lord asked of her ask he hung dying on the Cross – to become Mother to all humankind. Love is what gave her the courage to accept Simeon’s prophecy. 

Love is what gave her the strength to embrace each sword as it pierced her heart. Love is what urged here to accept her Son’s dying request. Love is what compels her to continue caring for us tenderly, limitlessly, and faithfully.

What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows celebrated on September 15th, dates back to the twelfth century. Since at least that time, Catholics have recognized seven events in the life of Mary that caused her great sorrow. That is why the image of Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows often shows her with seven swords piercing her Immaculate Heart. She’s also sometimes represented by a winged heart pierced with seven swords. The swords represent her grievous sorrows. Known as the Seven Dolors of Mary, these sorrows are: 

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) 

2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) 

3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 

4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17) 

5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30) 

6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31- 37) 

7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50- 56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47) 

That’s a lot for one woman to endure in a lifetime! Yet, Mary wasn’t just another woman; she was the woman chosen by God to bear his Son. With that great joy and responsibility also came great sorrow. Along with her great joy and sorrow came great love – for each one of us as her children. This is what our Lord asked of her ask he hung dying on the Cross – to become Mother to all humankind. Love is what gave her the courage to accept Simeon’s prophecy. 

Love is what gave her the strength to embrace each sword as it pierced her heart. Love is what urged here to accept her Son’s dying request. Love is what compels her to continue caring for us tenderly, limitlessly, and faithfully.

Original source can be found here.