OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Readings of the day: Rule of Saint Benedict (RB) 2:33-40

Mass: Hebrews 5:7-9; Resp. Psalm 31or 1 Timothy 1:1-2,12-14; Resp. Psalm 16; Stabat Mater Sequence (optional); John 19:25-27 (obligatory for the memorial)

Following yesterday’s Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we celebrate Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary, who stood by the cross of her son, Jesus. We reflect in the words of Cardinal Basil Hume: 

She stands there—noble, dignified, courageous, strong. Stabat Mater, the mother stood. She had to be there to share his pain, to be part of his mental anguish. She was no casual onlooker, no idle spectator. She shared his pain; she was part of his mental anguish. Strangely, wondrously, she was again mother. His mother in his hour of need, but our mother as well. We call her Mother, because she truly is, and thus she is now our mother in our time of need, calling us to be like her—dignified, noble, courageous, strong. (Hope from the Cross: Reflections on Jesus’ Seven Last Words, 36)

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to the Jesus to the last.

O sweet Mother! Font of love,

Touch my spirit from above,

Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ, my Lord.

                     (From Stabat Mater sequence)

MOTHER MOST ADMIRABLE, PRAY FOR US.