Sorrowful Mother

We honor today the Sorrowful Mother as she stands by the cross waiting for her Son to die, His body to be placed on her lap soon afterwards. This is an image that has been painted, sculpted and drawn by many artists. Many countries honor the Sorrowful Mother (Mater Dolorosa) on this Friday before Holy Week, as seen in this procession held in Malta in the city of Valletta. Thousands of people accompany the procession, also attending Mass and going to confession on a day of atonement and repentance.

With the 7 sorrows Mary experienced throughout her life, including the prophecy of Simeon, the escape into Egypt, Jesus lost in the temple, seeing Jesus crucified, being taken down from the cross, being placed on her lap as a dead body, and being buried in a borrowed tomb, I see 7 other sorrows that are happening today. 1. Seeing so many single mothers raising their children by themselves, as their husbands left them. 2. Seeing so many young people abandoning their faith. 3. Still seeing innocent babies being killed before they are born. 4. Seeing people disregard all efforts to protect the environment and avoid pollution. 5. The rampant use of social media, carelessly and immorally. 6. Seeing people in authority abusing their responsibility, eventually being accused of corruption. 7. Seeing elderly people abandoned by their children who hardly ever visit them in nursing homes.

Thousands of people follow the statue of Mary through the streets of Valletta.

Blessed Mother, who had to see your Son grow into a handsome young man, and then let Him go, we ask your protection on our children and young people. May they feel protected from the world's dangers, and feel safe in your care. As you saw your Son tortured and killed, we pray for those mothers who had to see their children killed in wars, sudden accidents, through suicides and other terrible disasters. May these mothers find compassion in you, O Blessed Mother, and we ask that you give them the comfort they so much desire. This week we stand by you, and suffer with you, as we witness once again the passion, death and eventual resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ.