Our Lady of Sorrows
Beatae Mariae Virginis Perdolentis
Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Dolours, Our Lady of the Agony, the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows, and Our Lady of Piety, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours are names by which Mary, mother of Jesus, is referred to in relation to sorrows in life. As Mater Dolorosa, it is also a key subject for Marian art in the Catholic Church.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a popular religious theme and a Catholic devotion. In common imagery, the Virgin Mary is portrayed sorrowful and in tears, with one or seven swords piercing her heart, iconography based on the prophecy of Simeon in Luke 2:34–35. Pious practices in reference to this title include the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, the Seven Principal Dolors of the Blessed Virgin, the Novena in Honor of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and the Via Matris.
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is liturgically celebrated every 15 September, while the Friday of Sorrows is observed the Friday before Palm Sunday in some Catholic countries.
Next
Readings at Mass
Every year
- Reading
- 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a
- Responsorial Psalm
- Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
- Sequence
- Not available here
- Gospel Acclamation
- Not available here
- Gospel
- Jn 19:25-27
Her seven sorrows as seven swords, the cross and its white cloth behind her, 18th century