Our Lady Knows Your Sorrow | The Seven Sorrows of Mary (15 September)

About this sermon

Our Lady knows your sorrow. Fear, rejection, confusion, helplessness, death, traumatic memories and the pain of continuing to live—Mary experienced them all in union with the Passion of Jesus Christ. This homily for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows meditates upon the Seven Sorrows of Mary: 1. The Prophecy of Simeon 2. The Flight into Egypt 3. The Loss of the Child Jesus 4. Meeting Jesus on the Way of the Cross 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus 6. The Body of Jesus Taken Down From the Cross 7. The Burial of Jesus Popularized by the Servite Order and its Seven Holy Founders, this devotion calls us to contemplate Mary’s unique participation in her Son’s suffering. The prophecy of Simeon cast a lifelong shadow over Mary’s heart. She knew suffering was coming, yet refused to be paralyzed by dread. She endured rejection during the Flight into Egypt, confusion when Jesus was lost, helpless compassion on the road to Calvary and the agony of watching Him die. Afterward came the pain of memory and the sorrow of continuing to live when everything she loved seemed enclosed within the tomb. St. Alphonsus Liguori observed that the martyrs suffered much and died, while Our Lady suffered more and lived. Yet suffering did not make her bitter. It deepened her mercy, wisdom and compassion. Our pain can also be transformed. Accepted with Christ and His Mother, it can make us sources of consolation for others. Fly to Mary in every sorrow. She understands—and she will help you endure. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us! 00:00 Opening Prayer 00:28 Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows 00:51 Two Commemorations of Mary’s Sorrows 01:08 Returning to the Passion Throughout the Year 01:37 The Cross at the Center of Christian Life 01:54 Mary’s Union With Christ 02:10 The Servite Order and Seven Holy Founders 02:35 The Devotion Takes Its Form 02:51 Overview of the Seven Sorrows 03:08 The Seven Sorrows Listed 03:48 The Sword Piercing Mary’s Heart 04:03 First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon 04:18 A Lifelong Martyrdom of the Heart 04:41 Mary Understands Every Human Sorrow 05:44 The Dread of Future Suffering 06:15 Joy Lived Beneath the Shadow of the Cross 06:40 Courage in the Face of Fear 06:57 Mary Helps Us Endure Dread 07:13 Second Sorrow: The Flight Into Egypt 07:20 The World Rejects Its Creator 07:45 Herod’s Foolish Attachment to Power 08:30 The Infant Christ Experiences Rejection 09:23 Rejected by Those We Love 09:45 Third Sorrow: Losing the Child Jesus 10:03 The Sorrow of Confusion 10:18 “Son, Why Have You Done This to Us?” 10:33 Mary Does Not Understand Christ’s Answer 10:41 Trusting God Without Understanding 11:04 Fourth Sorrow: Meeting Jesus on Calvary 11:20 The Pain of Compassion 11:42 Parents Whose Children Have Gone Astray 11:59 Fifth Sorrow: Jesus Dies on the Cross 12:07 The Agony and Separation of Death 12:30 The Prophecy of Simeon Fulfilled 12:47 Mary Feels the Spear in Her Heart 13:02 Mary Understands the Pain of Bereavement 13:18 Sixth Sorrow: Jesus Taken From the Cross 13:26 The Pain of Traumatic Memory 14:01 Refusing to Be Controlled by Pain 14:28 Seventh Sorrow: Jesus Placed in the Tomb 14:37 The Sorrow of Continuing to Live 15:00 Mary’s Heart Remains With Christ 15:17 The Source of Mary’s Compassion 15:40 Queen of Martyrs 15:57 Sorrow Made Mary Merciful and Wise 16:06 Let Suffering Transform You 16:22 Becoming Merciful Toward Others 16:36 Fly to Mary in Every Sorrow 16:44 Closing Prayer Please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #OurLadyOfSorrows #SevenSorrows #Catholic #MarianDevotion #PassionOfChrist #MaterDolorosa #HolyWeek #CatholicFeastDay #Servites #QueenOfMartyrs #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicHomily #Prayer #JesusChrist 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴