Collection: Mater Dolorosa - Mother of Sorrows

ARTIST: Dan Paulos

ARTWORK NARRATIVE:

O Mother acquainted with sorrow,
O Mother of our consolation,
let me lay my head across your lap
and pour out all my griefs and fears and sorrows,
me, just another poor daughter of Eve
with a cup that seems to big to drink,
like so many women across the world
who know that you,
you listen,
you care,
you are our Mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Her feast day is September 15.

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O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.  

The First Sorrow:

The Prophecy of Simeon

Reading: Luke 2:25-35.  

When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicts that a "sword" (of sorrow) will pierce Mary's soul.  

The Second Sorrow

The flight into Egypt

Reading: Matthew 2:13-15.  

When King Herod orders the death of all male children age two or younger, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with the infant Jesus.  

The Third Sorrow

The Child Jesus Lost in the Temple

Reading: Luke 2: 41-50.

Mary and Joseph search for the child Jesus for three days, finding Him at last — after agonizing sorrow — in the temple.  

The Fourth Sorrow

Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross

Reading: Luke 23: 27-29.  

As Jesus makes His way to Calvary, condemned to crucifixion, He meets His mother, Mary. He is bruised, derided, cursed and defiled and her sorrow is absolute as Jesus drags His own cross up the hill of His crucifixion.  

The Fifth Sorrow

Mary at the foot of the cross

Reading: John 19: 25-30.  

Mary stands near her dying Son unable to minister to him as He cries "I thirst." She hears Him promise heaven to a thief and forgive His enemies. His last words, "Behold your mother," charge us to look on Mary as our mother.  

The Sixth Sorrow

Mary receives the body of Jesus

Reading: Psalm 130.  

Jesus is taken down from the cross and His body is placed in Mary's arms. The passion and death are over, but for His mother, grief continues. She holds His body in her arms.  

The Seventh Sorrow

Mary witnesses the burial of Jesus

Reading: Luke 23: 50-56.  

The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb. The most tragic day in history ends, Mary alone in sorrow, awaiting the Resurrection.  

Last Three Beads:

Three Hail Marys are said at the end in honor of the Tears of Our Sorrowful Mother.

One Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father for the intention of the Pope.

Say "Virgin most Sorrowful, pray for us" three times.  

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, our Father, from the passion and death of Jesus, shared by the compassion of his Mother, you brought healing to fallen man.   Grant that we, your people, may experience this healing and rise from the power of sin to a wholeness of life promised by Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen.