Mary’s Sorrows: The compassion of the Mother

The Sorrows of Mary: The Compassion of the Mother

Introduction

The Sorrows of Mary (or Compassion of Mary) is a central theme in Marian theology. It refers to Mary’s suffering throughout Jesus’ life, particularly during His Passion. Tradition lists seven sorrows, symbolizing the fullness of her suffering.

The Seven Sorrows

The seven sorrows traditionally enumerated are: 1) The prophecy of Simeon (“a sword shall pierce through your soul,” Luke 2:35). 2) Flight into Egypt. 3) Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple. 4) Encounter with Jesus on the way to Calvary. 5) Crucifixion. 6) Receiving Jesus’ dead body. 7) Burial.

Theology of Compassion

Mary’s suffering is not passive; it is compassion (from Latin, “to suffer with”), meaning active participation in Christ’s redemptive suffering. St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote that the sword of pain pierced Mary so deeply that she could be called “more than a martyr,” as she suffered in spirit what martyrs suffered in body.

Devotion and Liturgy

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The hymn Stabat Mater is the most perfect literary expression of this devotion. The Order of Servants of Mary (or Servites) has dedicated itself especially to the veneration of Mary’s Sorrows.For further study, explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and Post-Graduate Studies in Mariology.

Church Magisterium

> “And a sword shall pierce through your soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:35, Vulgata Clementina)> “O all who pass by the way, look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.” (Lamentations 1:12, Vulgata Clementina), traditionally applied to the Mother of Sorrows by tradition.