On this Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, we recall how Mary’s steadfast trust in God empowered her to be present to Christ, even in the midst of overwhelming grief.
Mass Readings – Our Lady of Sorrows (#443/639)
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Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
As Jesus speaks of his upcoming suffering and death, his disciples are overcome with grief.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 19th Week of the Year (#413)
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St. Jane Frances de Chantal, pray for us!
St. Paul expresses his profound grief that his own people have not embraced Jesus as the messiah who fulfills salvation history.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 30th Week of the Year
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St. Martin de Porres, pray for us!
Mary’s sorrow is witnessed in both Gospel options today: Luke’s passage speaks of the “sword of sorrow”, and John’s text reveals Mary’s agony before the Cross of her Son.
Mass Readings – Our Lady of Sorrows
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Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
Psalm 34 speaks about the pain of human suffering and heartache. In the midst of this sorrow, the Lord draws near to us with healing grace and mercy.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Lent
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As Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, we gain a crucial insight into the Lord’s Sacred Heart. Filled with sorrow for the sins of our world, Christ reveals the depth of his love and points us to the Cross as the instrument of our salvation.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 33rd Week of the Year
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St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us!
On this memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, we recall that Mary witnessed the events that St. Paul recaps in his First Letter to the Corinthians. May Mary’s faith inspire us to draw near to her Son!
Mass Readings – Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
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At the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan reveals the complex nature of our grief. Saul’s mix of good and bad qualities illustrate how we can mourn the loss of people that we meet in the messiness of life. In our own complicated moments of grief may we turn to the Lord and trust that Christ will untangle the knots.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of the Year
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Hannah, filled with grief at being childless, pours out her prayer to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The sorrow of Hannah resonates with all couples who long to parent children but are unable to conceive. This example of our human frailty underscores how our faith can strengthen us in times of trial.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 1st Week of the Year
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