Our Lady of Sorrows

Memorial: September 15

The Virgin Mary is commemorated with the title of Our Lady of Sorrows to signify her spiritual martyrdom and her compassion with the sufferings of Jesus.

Tradition has identified seven times of special sorrow for the Virgin Mary.

The seven sorrows are:

1) The prophecy of Simeon in the Temple

2) The flight into Egypt

3)The disappearance of the Child Jesus in the Temple

4)The carrying of the cross on Calvary

5)The Crucifixion

6)The taking down of Jesus from the Cross

7)The burial of Jesus

The feast of the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary was initiated by the Servants of Mary in 1668, and extended by Pope Pius VII in 1814 to the whole Church. It is celebrated on the 15th of September to signify the participation of the Virgin Mary in the passion of Jesus, whose glorious cross is celebrated on the 14th of September. Closely connected with the seven sorrows is the Saturday celebration in honor of thee Virgin Mary, who was the only person to keep alive the flame of faith while Jesus was lying on the tomb.