I know that many mothers (and fathers) who read my page carry sorrow and sadness in their hearts out of love for their children - I hope and pray they find some solace and comfort in this prayer...
September 15 is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. When Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the temple, an old man, Simeon, told Mary: Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Tradition
holds that seven sorrows pierced Mary's heart in the course of her life
with her Son: 1) Simeon's prophecy in the temple (Luke 2:34). 2) the Holy Family's flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13). 3) Joseph and Mary losing the young Jesus for three days (Luke 2:43). 4) Mary meeting Jesus as he carried his Cross (Luke 23:26). 5) Mary standing at the foot of the Cross (John 19:25). 6) Jesus being taken down from the cross and placed in Mary's arms (Matthew 27:58). 7: the burial of Jesus in the tomb (John 19:4).
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| Sorrowful Mother |
Does any heart know sorrow, Lord,
more deeply and more keenly,
than a mother's heart aching
with sorrow for her child?
What they say is true, Lord:
to give birth is to forever have your heart
walk around outside your body...
Just after the joy of your birth, Lord,
your mother learned, was told,
that her pure heart would be pierced
by sorrow's bitter arrow...
All mothers, Lord, anticipate
what sadness might be theirs
when their child is in pain,
in trouble or distress,
lost, or in harm's way...
So tonight we pray for mothers,
whose souls are pierced with sorrow
for that part of their heart,
long absent from their womb...
With your Mother right beside you,
come with comfort, Lord, and healing;
come with blessing
strength and grace;
come and ease the hearts of mothers
heavy burdened in their sorrow;
anoint them with your mercy
and heal them with your peace...
Mother of Jesus, Lady of sorrows,
'neath your mantle of compassion
hold these mothers in your arms,
deep within your heart,
'til they come to know again
the promise of the healing joy
your Son has pledged and promised
to all who walk in faith...
Protect us, Lord, while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep rest in your peace...
Amen.
In tonight's song, the composer names Mary's seven sorrows as known in tradition - and adds an extra one (the third)...
Mother of Sorrows by Greg Mailloux
If a video doesn't appear below, click here!
Mother of sorrows, you know our tears;
Comfort us in our need.
Mother of Hope, pray for us,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Comfort us in our need.
Mother of Hope, pray for us,
Now and at the hour of our death.
1.Your Son's life was in danger as a new born babe.
But you fled to Egypt. His life was saved.
2. Lost in the temple, your Son was hid.
You searched for three days until he was revealed.
3. Your spouse Joseph, chosen of God, was chaste, loyal, and true.
His death brought tears and loss to you.
4. Your Son was the innocent and spotless Lamb
Guilty and condemned to death at Pilate's hand.
5. Via Dolorosa, the sorrowful and saddest way,
Is where you met your Son on that mournful day.
6. The pounding of the nails into your Son's feet and hands
Was the sword of sorrow that you'd never planned.
7. Jesus died upon the cross as you mourned.
His life of love, by them was scorned.
8. His lifeless body was placed in the stone-cold tomb
She laid him there, the child of her womb.
