MATER DOLOROSA
Our Lady of Sorrows
The Mother who stood at the foot of the Cross.
WHO IS SHE?
The Sorrowful Mother
Our Lady of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa) is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary that honours her suffering in union with the Passion of her Son, Jesus Christ. It recalls the words of Simeon, “and you yourself a sword will pierce” (Luke 2:35), and the Gospel’s witness that “standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother…” (John 19:25).
The Church celebrates her memorial on 15 September, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, showing that the sorrows of Mary cannot be separated from the victory of the Cross.
HER LIFE
The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Immaculate Conception
Preserved from all stain of original sin from the first moment of her conception, by the singular grace of God (dogma defined in 1854).
The Annunciation
She answered the angel Gabriel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Mother of God
She bore Jesus, true God and true man, at Bethlehem (Council of Ephesus, 431: Theotokos).
Hidden Life at Nazareth
She raised Jesus with Joseph in a humble home, keeping all things in her heart (Luke 2:51).
Calvary
She stood beneath the Cross and received the beloved disciple as her son (John 19:26-27).
Assumption
At the end of her earthly life she was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory (dogma defined in 1950).
HER SEVEN SORROWS
Mary’s Seven Great Sorrows
FIRST SORROW
The Prophecy of Simeon
Luke 2:34-35
SECOND SORROW
The Flight into Egypt
Matthew 2:13-15
THIRD SORROW
The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:41-50
FOURTH SORROW
Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Luke 23:26-27; Fourth Station of the Cross
FIFTH SORROW
Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross
John 19:25-27
SIXTH SORROW
Mary Receives the Body of Jesus
Mark 15:42-46; John 19:38-40
SEVENTH SORROW
Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
John 19:41-42
WITH HER SON
Her Suffering Alongside Jesus
The Second Vatican Council teaches that Mary “faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross, where she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, grieving exceedingly with her only begotten Son, uniting herself with a maternal heart with His sacrifice” (Lumen Gentium, 58).
Mary does not add to the one, perfect sacrifice of Christ. Rather, she is the first and most perfect disciple, who shares in His suffering with total love and faith.
MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
Behold, Your Mother
“Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
John 19:26-27
From the Cross, Jesus entrusted His Mother to the beloved disciple and the disciple to her. The Church sees in this moment Mary’s spiritual motherhood of all believers. Pope St Paul VI proclaimed her Mother of the Church in 1964, and Pope Francis inscribed the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, in the Roman Calendar for the Monday after Pentecost (2018).
WHY WE HONOUR HER
Why Catholics Honour and Console Her
To Love Jesus More
Mary’s sorrows lead us directly to the Passion of her Son. Meditating on them deepens our love for Christ crucified.
To Grow in Compassion
Standing with a grieving Mother teaches us compassion for all who suffer.
To Learn Faithful Love
Mary teaches us to remain faithful to Jesus when following Him is costly.
Honour, Not Worship
Catholics worship God alone. We honour Mary as the Mother of God and our Mother, and ask her intercession.
Standing with Mary at the Foot of the Cross
To stand with Mary at Calvary is to refuse to run away from the Cross. It means remaining beside Jesus in prayer when it is hard, accepting our own sufferings in union with His, and staying close to all who suffer. Mary did not flee. She stood. With her, we learn to stand too.
OUR MISSION