The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows – September 15

Feast Day: September 15

The Catholic feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated annually on September 15th. This day holds great significance for Catholics around the world as it commemorates the seven sorrows that the Virgin Mary experienced throughout her life. These sorrows include the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the child Jesus in the temple, the meeting of Jesus and Mary on the way to Calvary, the crucifixion, the taking down of the body of Jesus from the cross, and the burial of Jesus.

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 2:34-35

Our Lady of Sorrows reminds Catholics that Mary is not just the mother of Jesus but also the mother of all believers, including you and me. She walks with us on our journey to God and understands our struggles and pains. When we turn to her in prayer, she intercedes for us and brings our petitions to God.

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows invites us to reflect on Mary’s sorrows and how they relate to our lives. We can experience similar sorrows, such as illness, loss of loved ones, and other personal struggles. However, just as Mary remained faithful to God in the midst of her sorrows, we, too, are called to have faith and trust in God’s plan for us.

One way to connect with Our Lady of Sorrows and deepen our understanding of her role in our lives is to visit The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church in Laurie, Missouri. This shrine is dedicated to Mary and serves as a place of prayer and pilgrimage. It is a beautiful and peaceful place where visitors can reflect on Mary’s role in their lives and offer their intentions to her. We invite you to explore our upcoming events by clicking here.

The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church offers various events and offerings throughout the year.

In addition to visiting the shrine, Catholics can also incorporate the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows into their daily lives. This can be done through praying the chaplet of the seven sorrows or the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows. These prayers help us to meditate on Mary’s sorrows and how they relate to our own lives.

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is a significant day in the Catholic Church that invites us to reflect on Mary’s role in our lives. She walks with us on our journey to God and understands our struggles and pains. By visiting The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church in Laurie, Missouri, or incorporating the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows into our daily lives, we can deepen our understanding and connection with Mary.