Thoughts on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

As I sat today meditating on each one of Our Lady's sorrows I came to the one where Jesus' body is taken down from the Cross and I could only think of Michaelangelo's masterpiece of Mary holding Our Lord's lifeless body (The Pieta).

I encourage all to say some pray for Mary's intercession today on the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Seven Sorrows of Mary:

1. The Prophecy of Simeon.
2. The Flight into Egypt.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days.
4. Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.
6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross.
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb.

Promises of the Devotion:

According to the visions of St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)our Blessed Mother promises to grant seven gracesto those who honor her and draw near to her and her Son every day by meditating on her dolors (sorrows) and entering into her grief.

1. "I will grant peace to their families."
2. "They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries."
3. "I will console them in their pains and will accompany them in their work."
4. "I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls."
5. "I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives."
6. "I will visibly help them at the moment of their death-- they will see the face of their mother."
7. "I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy."

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain, Image of the Pieta

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Another Pledge Ruling (USA)

With Hurricane Katrina and the anniversary of 9/11, I recently wrote on how God must be the center of our lives and our days as Pope Benedict XVI recently said again.

Well, the same atheist that brought the case against the pledge has done so again and a judge has ruled that the pledge is "unconstitutional" because of the words "under God". This is another example of the dark intentions to destroy one's faith in God. How great Our Lord is that He willfully gave us life, still died for our wrongs, and continues to bless us. Imagine how merciful that is for the victim to still die for his offenders - all of them. And then we see how horrible some people can become where they want to take God out of every facet of life.

I certainly like the pledge (typically I say it in Spanish to practice), but I will never remove "under God" when I say it because God is always there.

Image Source: Photo believed to be in the Public Domain

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Our Lady of Sorrows

Memorial (1969 Calendar): September 15
Double of the II Class (1955 Calendar): September 15

Today, the Church remembers the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows. This is in addition to the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in Lent, which occurs on the Friday before Good Friday. In the 17th century, the Servites celebrated a solemn feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, which in 1817 was extended to the whole Church for the 3rd Sunday in Lent by Pope Pius VII as "a memorial of his sufferings in exile and captivity and of his deliverance through the Blessed Virgin’s intercession." In the early 1900s, Pope St. Pius X moved the date and fixed it to September 15, effectively replacing the Octave Day of Our Lady's Nativity.

Mother Mary also suffered such anguish when she watched her Son's passion and death (Luke 2:35). But, what strikes me most is the wonderful moment when Our Lord - while dying - gives John the Disciple (symbolically the Church) to His mother so that we may have her aid.

In the words of St. Therese of Lisieux, "She has given us so many proofs that she cares for us like a mother." Take just a few moments to reflect on each one of these sorrows of Mary and say a Hail Mary in reparation for blasphemy against Jesus, Our One God, and Mary. Mary is the greatest of all saints.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary:

1. The Prophecy of Simeon.
2. The Flight into Egypt.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days.
4. Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.
6. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross.
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb.

Dom Gueranger on the history of this feastday:

On perusing the register of the apostolic decrees concerning sacred rites, the reader is astonished to find a long and unusual interruption lasting from March 20, 1809, to September 18, 1814, at which latter date is entered the decree instituting on this present Sunday a second Commemoration of our Lady’s Dolours. 1809-1814, five sorrowful years, during which the government of Christendom was suspended; years of blood which beheld the ManGod agonizing once more in the person of His captive Vicar. But the Mother of sorrows was still standing beneath the cross, offering to God the Church's sufferings; and when the trial was over, Pius VII, knowing well whence the mercy had come, dedicated this day to Mary as a fresh memorial of the day of Calvary.

Even in the seventeenth century, the Servites had the privilege of possessing this second feast, which they celebrated as a double of the second class, with a vigil and an octave. It is from them that the Church has borrowed the Office and Mass. This honour and privilege was due to the Order established by our Lady to honour her sufferings and to spread devotion to them. Philip Benizi, heir to the seven holy Founders, propagated the flame kindled by them on the heights of Monte Senario; thanks to the zeal of his sons and successors, the devotion to the Seven Dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary, once their family property, is now the treasure of the whole world.

Litany of the Seven Dolors:

(Composed by Pope Pius VII but for private use)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Mother crucified, Pray for us.
Mother sorrowful, Pray for us.
Mother tearful, Pray for us.
Mother afflicted, Pray for us.
Mother forsaken, Pray for us.
Mother desolate, Pray for us.
Mother bereft of thy Child, Pray for us.
Mother transfixed with the sword, Pray for us.
Mother consumed with grief, Pray for us.
Mother filled with anguish, Pray for us.
Mother crucified in heart, Pray for us.
Mother most sad, Pray for us.
Fountain of tears, Pray for us.
Abyss of suffering, Pray for us.
Mirror of patience, Pray for us.
Rock of constancy, Pray for us.
Anchor of confidence, Pray for us.
Refuge of the forsaken, Pray for us.
Shield of the oppressed, Pray for us.
Subduer of the unbelieving, Pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, Pray for us.
Medicine of the sick, Pray for us.
Strength of the weak, Pray for us.
Harbor of the wrecked, Pray for us.
Allayer of tempests, Pray for us.
Resource of mourners, Pray for us.
Terror of the treacherous, Pray for us.
Treasure of the faithful, Pray for us.
Eye of the Prophets, Pray for us.
Staff of the Apostles, Pray for us.
Crown of Martyrs, Pray for us.
Light of confessors, Pray for us.
Pearl of virgins, Pray for us.
Consolation of widows, Pray for us.
Joy of all Saints, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Look down upon us, deliver us, and save us from all trouble, in the power of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us pray: Imprint, O Lady, thy wounds upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love---sorrow to endure every sorrow for thee, love to despise every love for thee. Amen.

Pray 1 Apostles Creed, 1 Hail Holy Queen, and 3 Hail Marys, in honor of the Most Immaculate Heart of Mary.

By St. Bernard:

The martyrdom of the Virgin is set forth both in the prophecy of Simeon and in the actual story of our Lord’s passion. The holy old man said of the infant Jesus: He has been established as a sign which will be contradicted. He went on to say to Mary: And your own heart will be pierced by a sword.

Truly, O blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your heart. For only by passing through your heart could the sword enter the flesh of your Son. Indeed, after your Jesus – who belongs to everyone, but is especially yours – gave up his life, the cruel spear, which was not withheld from his lifeless body, tore open his side. Clearly it did not touch his soul and could not harm him, but it did pierce your heart. For surely his soul was no longer there, but yours could not be torn away. Thus the violence of sorrow has cut through your heart, and we rightly call you more than martyr, since the effect of compassion in you has gone beyond the endurance of physical suffering.

Or were those words, Woman, behold your Son, not more than a word to you, truly piercing your heart, cutting through to the division between soul and spirit? What an exchange! John is given to you in place of Jesus, the servant in place of the Lord, the disciple in place of the master; the son of Zebedee replaces the Son of God, a mere man replaces God himself. How could these words not pierce your most loving heart, when the mere remembrance of them breaks ours, hearts of iron and stone though they are!

Do not be surprised, brothers, that Mary is said to be a martyr in spirit. Let him be surprised who does not remember the words of Paul, that one of the greatest crimes of the Gentiles was that they were without love. That was far from the heart of Mary; let it be far from her servants.

Perhaps someone will say: “Had she not known before that he would not die?” Undoubtedly. “Did she not expect him to rise again at once?” Surely. “And still she grieved over her crucified Son?” Intensely. Who are you and what is the source of your wisdom that you are more surprised at the compassion of Mary than at the passion of Mary’s Son? For if he could die in body, could she not die with him in spirit? He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his.

FROM "VICTORIES OF THE MARTYRS"
By St. Alphonsus Liguori

MARY IS THE QUEEN OF MARTYRS, FOR HER MARTYRDOM WAS LONGER AND GREATER THAN THAT OF ALL THE MARTYRS.

Who can ever have a heart so hard that it will not melt on hearing the most lamentable event that once occurred in the world? There was a noble and holy mother who had an only son. This son was the most amiable that can be imagined - innocent, virtuous, beautiful, who loved his mother most tenderly; so much so that he had never caused her the least displeasure, but had ever shown her all respect, obedience, and affection; hence this mother had placed her affections on earth in this son. Hear, then, what happened. This son, through envy, was falsely accused by his enemies; and though the judge knew, and himself confessed, that he was innocent, yet, that he might not offend his enemies, he condemned him to the ignominious death that they demanded. This poor mother had to suffer the grief of seeing that amiable and beloved son unjustly snatched from her in the flower of his age by a barbarous death; for, by dint of torments and drained of all his blood, he was made to die on! an infamous gibbet in a public place of execution, and this before her own eyes.

Devout souls, what say you? Is not this event, and is not this unhappy mother, worthy of compassion? You already understand of whom I speak. This son, so cruelly executed, was our loving Redeemer Jesus; and this mother was the Blessed Virgin Mary; who, for the love she bore us, was willing to see him sacrificed to divine justice by the barbarity of men. This great torment that Mary endured for us - a torment that was more than a thousand deaths - deserves both our compassion and our gratitude. If we can make no other return for so much love, at least let us give a few moments this day to consider the greatness of the sufferings by which Mary became the Queen of martyrs; for the sufferings of her great martyrdom exceeded those of all the martyrs; being, in the first place, the longest in point of duration; and in the second place, the greatest in point of intensity.

Collect:

O God, at Whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of sorrow pierced the most sweet soul of the glorious Virgin and Mother Mary: mercifully grant, that we who with devotion honor her Sorrows, may obtain the happy fruit of Thy Passion: Who livest and reignest.

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Through the Cross and in the Eucharist is our Hope

As I sat today working a thought came to mind I wanted to share with others: "If all the world would only for one moment glorify the Blessed Sacrament together then how great a moment for our world that would be as it is through this very Eucharist that all of our deficiencies become our perfections."

With today being the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I feel this is very appropriate. What does this say to you and how does it relate to your life in a practical way? "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And whosoever shall follow this rule, peace on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man be troublesome to me; for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. " (Galatians 6:14-18, Douay Rheims)

For me this conveys an image of the Resurrection. Our Lord stands before us in His glory and calls to us as he called to Lazarus "Rise". Only if we take up our crosses and unite them to God through our offerings can we be part of the Resurrection. In baptism we all do become part of the Body of Christ and we must live our life everyday as if tomorrow Christ was to come and judge us then. I ask myself: "Would I be ready?"

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Feast (1969 Calendar): September 14
Greater Double (1955 Calendar): September 14

Every Good Friday we enter into the mystery of the Passion and Death of the God-Man, the 2nd Person of the Divine Trinity, meditating in silence and remorse on the Cross, the instrument of torture. It was an instrument of torture that our Savior willfully deigned to take upon Himself so that all of our offenses to Almighty God could be paid by His Precious Blood. We accordingly offer the Supreme worship of latria to relics of the True CrossWe accordingly offer the Supreme worship of latria to relics of the True Cross.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14th), we recall the Cross not as an instrument of death but as a symbol of our Lord's triumph over sin, satan, and death. We recall that it is through Baptism that each one of us is baptized into the death of Christ, and by accepting our sufferings in this world, we too carry our crosses, in imitation of the Divine Redeemer, so that we may be brought to the Resurrection (Luke 9:23, 24)

The Servants of the Holy Family said of today's feast: "Originally, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was celebrated solely to honor the anniversary of the discovery of the Holy Cross by St. Helena and the dedication of the Basilicas consecrated at Jerusalem on September 14, 335, on the very site of the Holy Sepulcher and of Calvary. But today's feast is also the commemoration of another event-the return of the Holy Cross by the Persians in 629. It had been carried off fifteen years earlier on the occasion of a Persian victory and only after the heroic and brilliant campaign of the Emperor Heraclius was it restored. In this sign of the Holy Cross will we, all and each, overcome the devil and his forces to reach our heavenly goal much like Constantine did when he followed the apparition which instructed him to engage in battle with the sign of the Cross as his insignia."

Indulgence Alert:

There are several special indulgences for today's Feast.  Click here to read.

The Collect:

O God, Who this day dost gladden us by the yearly feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: grant, we beseech Thee, that we who on earth acknowledge the mystery of Redemption wrought upon it, may be worthy to enjoy the rewards of that same Redemption in heaven. Through the same our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Novena

Jesus, Who because of Your burning love for us willed to be crucified and to shed Your Most Precious Blood for the redemption and salvation of our souls, look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for ... (mention here)

We trust completely in Your Mercy. Cleanse us from sin by Your Grace, sanctify our work, give us and all those who are dear to us our daily bread, lighten the burden of our sufferings, bless our families, and grant to the nations, so sorely afflicted, Your Peace, which is the only true peace, so that by obeying Your Commandments we may come at last to the glory of Heaven.

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Ohio Parental Consent Law, Women Three Times More Likely to Die After Abortions

Here are some recent pro-life news that I would like to share:

1. The Parental Consent law in Ohio has been upheld and will take effect Sept. 22. Also, Abortions in Ohio have dropped by 15 percent from 41,673 to 35,319 between 1993-2003.

"The law not only requires teens to get parental approval for an abortion, but it allows women considering an abortion to receive information 24 hours ahead of time about its risks and alternatives. Similar laws in other states have been responsible for significantly reducing the number of abortions." (Read More)

2. New Study: "Women are three times more likely to die after an abortion"

Image Source: Source Unknown

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Holy Name of Mary

Optional Memorial (1969 Calendar): September 12
Greater Double (1955 Calendar): September 12

September 12th is the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and was extended to all of Spain and Naples in 1671. Following this, in 1683, John Sobieski, the king of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna in an effort to stop the advancement of Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed IV in Constantinople. Sobieski entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and he and his soldiers defeated the Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the Universal Church as a solemn thanksgiving for the relief of Vienna when it was besieged by the Turks in 1683.  Click here to read more of the attack.

This feast day, previously kept on the Sunday following the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, was moved to September 12 in the 1911 reforms of Pope St. Pius X. May this day be a blessing for all of us, and by God's Grace also a day in which we may learn to love in union with the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Sermon of St Bernard of Clairvaux in the Office of the Most Holy Name of Mary:

In dangers, in difficulties, in doubts, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let Her not be away from thy mouth or from thine heart, and that thou may obtain the succour of Her prayers, turn not aside from the example of Her conversation. If thou follow Her, thou wilt never go astray; if thou pray to Her, thou wilt never despair; if thou keep Her in mind, thou wilt never wander. If She hold thee, thou wilt never fall; if She lead thee, thou wilt never be weary; if She help thee, thou wilt reach home safe, and so prove in thyself how rightly it was said, “And the Virgin’s name was Mary.” 

Collect:

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that Thy faithful people, who rejoice in the name and protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, may by her loving intercession be delivered from all evils on earth and be found worthy to everlasting joys in heaven. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Repose of the Soul of Susan Torres

Susan Torres, the little baby born to the mentally-disabled woman, has died at the age of 5 weeks. The doctors fought diligently to save her, but it is obviously the Lord's will for thus to have been done. Please say a prayer for her soul and for her mother that both of them may enjoy the unending bliss of Heaven with the Lord as their light. I hope and pray that she was baptized.

http://www.susantorresfund.org/

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Relying on Faith from Hurricane Katrina

I was reading a good article on how many people are now relying on faith because of Hurricane Katrina. I do hope that these people, though, know that many of us are praying for them. Many Churches have been destroyed but I certainly hope that God is put into the city and remain in these peoples' hearts.

As this article details, the Gospel is more than just going to Mass on Sunday; it is also loving others as Jesus loved us (John 13:40). And besides giving a few dollars anyone could and should offer a Rosary for these people. Anyone could work as a volunteer some way to help raise supplies or money. Remember, God didn't ask for us to be successful but He certainly asked for us to be faithful and try.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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After Cologne 2005

I received an email a few days back on a new blog, After Cologne 2005, and I wanted to share part of the email.

What is it?
This project aims to study the spiritual impact of the WYD on the lives of the young people who attended the World Youth Day in Cologne, 2005, through an Internet portal.

Impulse
This project started out as a voluntary project to get to know more people who came to Cologne for the World Youth Day 2005 through the help of an Internet portal that connects pilgrims and volunteers and everyone else who was involved in the WYD'05. This is my personal reasons:

1. I find that my own experience as a volunteer is quite different from most pilgrims, and I personally would like to learn from other pilgrims what they have experienced in WYD'05.
2. There was a huge mass of attendance in Köln (and Düsseldorf and Bonn), and it was not always possible for pilgrims (and volunteers), especially from different pilgrimage groups, to exchange contact information during the short while in Cologne.
3. There is a potential for establishing new friendships and communities based on shared experience in WYD'05 and common desire to extend the extraordinary experience onto our own homes and families and communities.

Specific Objectives of this Project
Bearing in mind that the medium of choice here is an Internet portal, the specific objectives of this project are as follow:
1. To help young people to get to know each other better: friends they have just met during the WYD'05, fellow pilgrims with whom they have come together to WYD'05, and new friends they may or may not have encountered personally.
2. To facilitate the sharing of experience, exchange of ideas that contribute to the development of Christian communities both in their own cities/countries and those that span over distance.
3. (A little bit too far--depends on resources and abilities) To measure the long-term spiritual impact of the WYD'05, whether in terms of what contribution it had to the youth ministry, or to the individual participant's involvement in the Church. I'd like to ask questions like: does WYD mark a turning point in many young people's lives? More regular attendance at Mass? Encourages vocations or joining of ministry? Grown in faith, etc? I can't think of more relevant questions, perhaps you can help?

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