🕊️ The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows: Why Catholics Honor Mary's Suffering
(Updated September 2025)
Someone recently asked me, “What is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, and why is it important to Catholics?” It’s a beautiful and powerful question — and the answer leads us straight to the heart of Mary's love for her Son and for us.
We all grow up knowing Mary as the mother of Jesus. Catholics — and many other Christian traditions — honor her deeply, calling her “Mother Mary” or “Blessed Mother.” But in the month of September, the Church invites us to reflect more intimately on Mary as the Sorrowful Mother.
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows falls on September 15, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. As we honor the Cross on the 14th, we then turn to Mary — the one who stood at the foot of the Cross, united in suffering with her Son.
📿 What Are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?
Mary’s deepest sufferings are known as the Seven Sorrows. These moments, recorded in Scripture, form a traditional Catholic devotion:
- The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
- The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
- Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27–31)
- The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
- The Body of Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross (Luke 23:50–54)
- The Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55–56)
Each sorrow reveals Mary's strength, her surrender, and her unfailing love. They show us how to endure suffering with faith — not by avoiding it, but by unifying it with Christ's redemptive work.
🎨 The Sixth Sorrow in Sacred Art: Mary Receives the Body of Her Son
The image of Mary holding the body of Jesus after the crucifixion — the sixth sorrow — has moved hearts for centuries. Perhaps the most famous representation is Michelangelo’s Pietà, where we see Mary’s quiet strength as she cradles the lifeless body of her Son.
We also see this sorrow in the breathtaking painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. In it, Mary’s face expresses a depth of grief that speaks across time — a grief not only for her Son, but for all her spiritual children.
💔 Two Personal Reflections:
- As a sinner, I am part of the reason for the pain in Mary's heart. Her Son died for the sins of the world — including mine.
- And yet, she still loves me. Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, never turns away from her children.
🙏 How Can We Honor Our Lady of Sorrows Today?
September is a beautiful month to meditate on Mary’s sorrows and entrust our own to her loving care. Here are a few ways to honor her:
- Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary
- Display a statue or image of Our Lady of Sorrows in your home
- Wear a devotional medal or scapular
- Offer your daily struggles to Mary and ask for her intercession
🛍️ Shop Our Lady of Sorrows Devotionals →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows?
September 15. It follows the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14.
What is the Seven Sorrows Rosary?
It’s a special devotion meditating on the seven key moments of sorrow in Mary's life. Each sorrow includes one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.
Why is this devotion important?
It reminds us that we are not alone in our suffering — Mary, our spiritual mother, walks with us in every trial.
💐 Closing Reflection
During this month of September, as we remember Mary’s sorrow, let’s also remember her faith, her hope, and her love. She knows the weight of the cross — and she wants to carry it with you.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
For a deeper dive, read our extended reflection here: Our Lady of Sorrows: Deeper Devotion
