Following August’s devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. It is centered on the exceptional and poignant suffering that Blessed Mother Mary went through during Christ’s Passion.
These sorrows of Blessed Mother Mary were the theme of a famous altarpiece by Albrecht Dürer, The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin. The altarpiece had a central panel surrounded by seven panels depicting seven scenes from Christ’s life which make up the seven sorrows that Mary experienced as a mother– The Circumcision and Prophecy of Simeon, the Flight to Egypt, the Loss of Jesus for Three Days, Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus being taken down from the Cross, and Jesus being laid in the tomb.
Our dedication to Our Lady of Sorrows calls us to the spiritual martyrdom that Blessed Mother Mary experienced during the martyrdom of her son, Jesus Christ. It draws us to reflect that we are all sinners but we can conquer them through intense suffering. Mother Mary’s tears of grief and anguish symbolize our sins being washed away by God. This September, we are called to unite ourselves with the Blessed Mother in her sorrows.
Prayer for Our Lady of Sorrows
Our mother of sorrows, with strength from above you stood by the cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore Him in your arms, mourning and weeping.
We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you. We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you. We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of His passion.
Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love.
Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Amen!
Sources:
https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=2456
https://blog.aquinasandmore.com/september-is-the-month-of-our-lady-of-sorrows/
