Imagine for a moment, the pain and suffering of losing your one and only child. Now, layer in elements of sheer brutality, mockery and injustice. Our Blessed Mother experienced indescribable suffering and sorrow related to her saying “yes” to participating in God’s plan.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are traditional Catholic devotions that reflect on the suffering and anguish experienced by the Virgin Mary throughout her life. Below, they are listed along with brief descriptions:
#1. The Prophecy of Simeon:
This sorrow refers to the prophecy made by Simeon at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, foretelling the suffering Mary would endure because of her son.
#2. The Flight into Egypt:
Mary and Joseph fleeing with the infant Jesus to escape King Herod’s massacre of the innocents.
#3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple:
Mary and Joseph’s distress when they realized Jesus was missing during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, only to find him teaching in the Temple.
#4. Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary:
Mary encountering her son Jesus as he carried the cross to Calvary, witnessing his pain and suffering.
#5. Jesus dies on the cross:
Mary witnessing the crucifixion and death of her beloved son. Terrifying!
#6. Mary receives the body of Jesus:
The sorrow of holding the lifeless body of Jesus after his crucifixion.
#7. Jesus is laid in the tomb:
The grief of Mary as she watched her son’s body being laid in the tomb after his death.
