Joys and Sorrows of Motherhood: A Reflection on the Seven Sorrows of Mary

With motherhood comes joys and sorrows (and kisses, snuggles, tantrums, bumps, bruises, and the list goes on and on.)  Who better an example of the joys and sorrows of motherhood than our Blessed Mother.  The Blessed Virgin Mary experienced the joys of being a mother especially as the Mother of God.  She also felt sorrows that came along with motherhood, plus some. 

From the moment of the Incarnation (Luke 2:34-35), the Blessed Virgin Mary began to experience what are known as the Seven Sorrows of Mary.  These she suffered from that moment, throughout Jesus’s life, during and after Jesus’s Crucifixion (John 19:25-27) and for the rest of her earthly life.  Like other mothers who lose a child, the Blessed Virgin Mary felt the ultimate sorrow. (John 19:30)

I would like to take a moment to express my sincere condolences to all mothers who have lost a child, by any means and at any age, my heart goes out to you, I pray that God provides you with peace and comfort and I hope that you are able to find the love, support and guidance that is needed to endure such a loss.   Turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is Mother to us, all and she will help you through her Son, Jesus Christ.   Also, consider reaching out to Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents, an “ongoing Catholic program serving the spiritual needs of grieving parents.”

“Mary, in a unique way, willingly suffered alongside her Divine Son as he gave his life to save the world, and she felt the bitterness of his passion as only a mother can.”1

While I have always had a personal devotion to our Blessed Mother, since becoming a Mother, it has grown deeper.  This devotion has strengthened and continues to strengthen my love, adoration and relationship with Jesus Christ.   Reflecting on the words of Saint Louis de Montfort “I am all yours, O my Jesus, and all that I have is yours through Mary, your most holy Mother.” 

The devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary has also help comfort me when I have experienced my own sorrows of motherhood.  Like our Blessed Mother (Luke 2:34-35), when I was pregnant with my son I received news that put fear and sorrow in my heart.   Through praying the Holy Rosary and through her intercession to her Son, we believe that Jesus listened to His Mother and granted our miracle.  From a mother to a Mother, our Mother, I am eternally grateful. 

While I have experienced other varying degrees of sorrow throughout my short time as a mother, I know that I will inevitably experience more.  Instead of succumbing to my anxieties of what could happen in the future, I instead try to put all my trust in the Lord, through His Mother.   

September 15th is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and “became a standard devotion in the Church around the 14th century” as “it was revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden that devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary's Seven Sorrows would bring great signal graces.” 1

These graces or promises for those who meditate on Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows ease my anxious thoughts and reassure me that I can indeed “do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13)
 
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)
3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)
6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)
 
To pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, please click here.
 
I pray that you too can align your sorrows with the Seven Sorrows of Mary and receive her faith, hope and love from Jesus to withstand the sorrows of life and enjoy all the blessings in life as well.

As always, thank you for reading.  God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
 
 
Sources:

1. Fr. Scott McCaig, CC, “The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady.” Companions of the Cross, http://www.companionscross.org/sites/default/files/file-attachments/The%20Rosary%20of%20the%20Seven%20Sorrows%20of%20Our%20lady_edited.pdf Accessed 14 Sept. 2017
2. “Devotion to Our Lady's Seven Sorrows.” The Catholic Company, www.catholiccompany.com/content/The-Seven-Sorrows-of-Mary.cfm Accessed 14 Sept. 2017
3.  “St. Theresa Parish.” Emmaus Ministry For Grieving Parents, www.emfgp.org/locations/st-theresa-parish. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
4. “Around the Diocese 04.20.17.” Rhode Island Catholic, thericatholic.com/stories/around-the-diocese-042017,8899. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.