OUR LADY OF SORROWS: The Blessed Virgin was born to be the Mother of God. From the first moment of Mary’s immaculate presence in her mother’s womb, our Lady has led us to her Son. From the cross, Christ commands, “Behold, your mother.” As the Savior’s dying gift to us, Jesus leads us back to Mary. For we need the maternal closeness of the Sorrowful Mother to sustain us when overcome by the terrifying trials of life. Through Mary’s compassionate presence at the cross, that event – as it recurs in our life – becomes more deeply human, filling us with the courage to face life’s sufferings, certain in the secure embrace of divine providence. Whenever Mary loves us, she gives us Jesus. By obeying the Lord in our devout beholding of the Mother of God, we give Mary the chance to speak her YES to the annunciation uttered from the cross, “Behold, your son.”
-- Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP