Our Lady of Sorrows

Our Lady of Sorrows: A Reflection During the Pandemic

As we navigate the lingering shadows of the pandemic, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated on September 15, feels profoundly resonant. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, stood at the foot of the cross, her heart pierced by the seven sorrows that marked her life—moments of unimaginable pain, from the prophecy of Simeon to the burial of her Son. In these times of loss, uncertainty, and isolation, her example offers a quiet strength and a reminder that sorrow, though heavy, can be carried with grace.

The pandemic brought grief to countless doorsteps—loved ones lost, dreams deferred, and communities fractured. Like Mary, we’ve faced moments that test our resilience. Her sorrows teach us that pain is not the end of the story. She didn’t flee from suffering but embraced it with love, trusting in God’s greater plan. In our own trials—whether mourning those taken by illness, grappling with loneliness, or rebuilding after disruption—Mary invites us to hold fast to hope, to find meaning in our wounds, and to offer them up for others.

During these years, many turned to prayer, finding solace in the Rosary or the Stabat Mater, uniting their struggles with Mary’s. Her example reminds us to accompany one another, as she did with Jesus, even when the path is painful. As we reflect on Our Lady of Sorrows, let’s ask for her intercession to heal our broken world, to comfort those still grieving, and to guide us toward a future where love triumphs over loss.

“O Mother of Sorrows, pray for us, that we may find hope in our trials and strength in our shared humanity.”