15 Sept, Thursday, Our Lady of Sorrows
Hebrews 5:7-9. Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered
Luke 2:33-35. “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and a sign that will be contradicted.”
Devotion to our Lady of Sorrows
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a popular devotion in the Catholic Church. There is a devotional prayer which consists of meditation on her Seven Sorrows. They are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary which are a popular devotion and are frequently depicted in art. . Also, there is a corresponding devotion to the Seven Joys of Mary.
The Sorrows are listed as follows: 1. The Prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34-35) or the Circumcision of Christ 2. The Flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13) 3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 2:43-45) 4. Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary. (Luke 23:26) 5. Jesus Dies on the Cross. (John 19:25) 6. Mary Receives the Body of Jesus in Her Arms. (Matthew 27:57) 7. The Body of Jesus is Placed in the Tomb. (John 19:40)
The feast of the Our Lady of Sorrows was originated by a provincial synod of Cologne in 1413 as a response to the iconoclast Hussites. It was designated for the Friday after the third Sunday after Easter. It had the title: Commemoratio angustiae et doloris B. Mariae Virginis. Before the 16th century, the feast was celebrated only in parts of Northern Europe.
Earlier, in 1233, seven youths in Tuscany founded the Servite Order (also known as the “Servite Friars”, or the “Order of the Servants of Mary”). Five years later, they took up the sorrows of Mary, standing under the Cross, as the principal devotion of their order. Over the centuries several devotions, and even orders, arose around meditation on Mary’s Sorrows in particular. The Servites developed the two most common devotions to Our Lady’s Sorrows, namely the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and the Black Scapular of the Seven Dolours of Mary.
First Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Gospel: Luke 2:33-35
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”