Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows - Year A

Hi, this is Father Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's in Perry.

Today the church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Our Lady is revered under this title because she, though she did not experience pain at the birth of her son, definitely experienced the birth pangs of becoming mother of the church when she stood beneath the cross at Calvary.

There, she experienced the sword that Simeon had prophesied so many years before, that a sword would pierce her heart, that her son would become a sign that would be contradicted.

There, she experienced the Lord's own suffering in her own soul as His mother, as she cooperated and assisted in His sacrifice.

This also means that Our Lady knows the full depth and breadth of human experience and emotion.

She is not alien to the sufferings of her children.

She has known suffering in a very deep way herself, and so sympathizes, empathizes with her children, and walks with them through this valley of tears.

We want to have Mary by our side at all times, praying to her for her intercession, calling out to her as a child to its mother, especially when we are in moments of difficulty.

She takes her role as mother very seriously, and she looks out for her children, seeking to console them and bringing them always closer to her son.

May God bless you, and let us continue praying for each other.