The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows: Entering into the Suffering of Mary
September 15th marks one of the most moving feasts in the Church’s calendar: the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Just one day after we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Church invites us to turn our eyes to Mary—the Mother who stood faithfully beneath that Cross.
This feast is not only about remembering Mary’s pain, but about recognizing her strength, her fidelity, and her intimate union with Christ’s suffering for the salvation of the world.
Why the Church Honors Mary’s Sorrows
From the very beginning, Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce Mary’s heart (Luke 2:35). She carried that prophecy her whole life, watching her Son live and love perfectly while knowing His mission would cost Him everything.
Mary’s sorrows remind us that love and suffering often go hand in hand. She is the model of how to stay faithful to God in the midst of anguish. By honoring her sorrows, we are not dwelling on pain for its own sake—we are learning how to unite our own crosses with Christ’s.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
Tradition gives us seven particular events in Mary’s life to meditate on:
- The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
- The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
- Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27–31; John 19:17)
- The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
- The Body of Jesus is Placed in Mary’s Arms (Luke 23:50–54; John 19:31–34, 38)
- The Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55–56)
Each sorrow invites us into deeper reflection on Mary’s faith and courage. They also provide a powerful lens for our own trials: we see how suffering, when borne in faith, becomes redemptive.
How to Observe the Feast
Here are some simple ways to honor Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th:
- Pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows – A devotion that meditates on each of Mary’s seven sorrows, asking for the grace to carry our own crosses faithfully.
- Attend Mass – Offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most profound way to honor Our Lady and her union with Christ’s suffering.
- Carry Mary’s Strength Into Your Day – Pause when challenges arise and ask, “How would Mary have endured this with faith?”
- Entrust Suffering Loved Ones to Mary – She understands pain and loss better than anyone. Invite her to walk alongside those in sorrow today.
Mary, the Mother Who Understands
When life feels overwhelming, it can be hard to believe anyone truly understands our pain. The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows reminds us that Mary does. She walked the road of loss, confusion, and grief—yet she never abandoned her trust in God.
By staying close to her, we are drawn closer to her Son. Her sorrows teach us that suffering does not have the last word. Resurrection follows the Cross.
Takeaway
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is not a feast of despair—it is a feast of hope born through suffering. Mary shows us that strength is found not in avoiding pain, but in remaining steadfast with Christ through it.
As you reflect on her sorrows, ask her to help you carry your own with courage and grace. And remember: when you hold the rosary in your hands, you are not just repeating prayers—you are training your heart to endure with the same faith Mary had at the foot of the Cross.