September 15 marks an important feast day in the Catholic Church. It's the day when we celebrate the Seven Sorrows of Mary, also known as Our Lady of Sorrows. This devotion is a way for us to reflect upon the sufferings that Mary endured throughout her life and her unwavering faith in God. In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into the history and significance of this devotion.

What are the seven swords that pierced Mary's heart?

The Seven Sorrows of Mary represent seven events in Mary's life that caused her immense pain and sorrow. These are sometimes referred to as the seven swords that pierced her heart. By reflecting upon these sorrows, we can deepen our understanding of Mary's love for her son and her faith in God. Let us take inspiration from her example and seek to face our own hardships with courage and grace.

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

The first sorrow is the prophecy of Simeon, who told Mary that a sword would pierce her own soul because of her son. This refers to the pain she would feel in witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus. 

"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." - Luke 2:34-35

2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

The second sorrow is the flight into Egypt. When Herod sought to kill all newborn boys in Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus had to flee to Egypt for safety. This was a challenging journey for them, as they had to leave behind everything they knew.

3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)

The third sorrow is the loss of the child Jesus for three days. When Jesus was 12 years old, Mary and Joseph lost track of him while on a trip to Jerusalem. They searched for him everywhere and eventually found him in the temple, teaching the elders.

4. Mary meets Jesus on His way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)

The fourth sorrow is Mary meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary. As Jesus carried his cross to his crucifixion, Mary followed him and shared in his anguish and suffering.

5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)

The fifth sorrow is the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Mary stood at the foot of the cross and watched her son die. This was undoubtedly the most painful of all her sorrows.

6. The body of Jesus taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)

The sixth sorrow is the taking of Jesus' body from the cross. After he died, his body was taken down and prepared for burial. This was a difficult task for those who loved Jesus and had to see him in this state.

7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

The seventh sorrow is the burial of Jesus. Mary and the other women followed the men who took Jesus' body to the tomb and watched as it was laid to rest.

It's important to note that this devotion is not just about dwelling on sadness and suffering. The Seven Sorrows of Mary are also a reminder of her immense love for her son and her unwavering faith in God. Just as Mary endured her sorrows with grace and courage, we too can find strength in our own difficult times.