Sep 15 – Memorial for Our Lady of Sorrows
Different sorrows of Mary have been honoured in the Church’s history, but since the 14th century, these seven have come to be regarded as the seven ‘dolors’ (sorrows) of the Blessed Virgin 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
By commemorating Our Lady of Sorrows, we call to mind the sufferings that Mary endured as part of her vocation as the Mother of the Redeemer. No one is closer to Christ than Mary, consequently no one has participated more intimately in the redemptive suffering of Christ than His Mother Mary.
1 Tim 1:1-2,12-14
Jn 19:25-27
“Woman, this is your son.”
Last week, I shared about how Mother Mary has become a significant anchor in my life as I encounter challenges and setbacks. For many of us, our mothers are truly the foundation of the family – they care for us, make sure we are fed, fetch us from A to Z for school activities, parties, extra classes, and also work hard to provide for whatever bare necessities or creature comforts we need/ask for.
I still remember an incident back in the 70s. If you remember the series ‘Six Million Dollar Man’, featuring Lee Majors as Col Steve Austin (the bionic man), there was a toy figurine that a company produced and one day, as mum brought me and my sister to a mall, it caught my eye. I remember whining, stamping my feet and refusing to move until mum bought it for me; which she eventually did.
Recently, mum and I had a conversation about my niece (who is also my god-daughter) and my nephew. Both being my sister’s grown up children, mum was recounting how she has always fought to ensure that both are treated, and celebrated, equally. She took pains to explain her actions and inner feelings regarding their growing up years (around the same age as I was when the incident with the figurine occurred) and I understood better why she had been a tad upset over certain situations.
Brother and sisters in Christ, I will never understand the pain or joys of being a parent, nor a grandparent. All I can say is that our mothers and grandmothers are indeed ‘forces of nature’ and what they want for us is always and only the best. Yes, they may have their flaws and their quirks (which we may never understand fully) but if you look into their hearts, they only want what is good for us. And for many of them, their sorrows are borne within their hearts, never to be revealed. That is the love of a mother/grandmother.
As we reflect on the seven sorrows (or dolors) of our Blessed Virgin Mother, let us look back at when we have caused our mothers/grandmothers to hurt or be sad/angered through of selfishness and our stubbornness. Let us recall how they bore the pain and gave in to us. And for those of us who can, let us give them a hug and tell them how much we appreciate them. Or light a candle in their honour.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Thanksgiving: We thank you Father, for the gift of Mother Mary, who bore for us all the pain, anguish and sadness that we put onto our mothers and grandmothers.
OXYGEN 
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