Today, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, is the Feast of Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is an analogous commemoration on Friday after 1st Passion Sunday.
Some time ago, I wrote a series of reflections on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin. I invite you to have a look.
Here are links to the individual posts
1st Sorrow – The Prophecy of Simeon
2nd Sorrow – The Flight into Egypt
3rd Sorrow – The loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem
4th Sorrow – Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary
5th Sorrow – The Crucifixion of Jesus
6th Sorrow – The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Deposition
7th Sorrow – The Burial of Jesus
At the famous Basilica in Rome, Santo Stefano Rotondo we find this well-known image:
Her dolors correspond with and illuminate the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the first seven Beatitudes, pious virtues AND the Dominus vobiscum’s in the Latin Mass.
Fr. Z, thank you for posting these. I’ve just read (prayed) today’s sorrow, and found it tremendously helpful. It would be fine if these seven sorrows were available in booklet form…..