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.” 

In this episode, Anna, Elizabeth, and Brittany discuss the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows and the seven sorrows of Mary. They explore the promises and graces associated with this devotion and share their personal experiences with Our Lady of Sorrows. The conversation highlights the deep connection between suffering and motherhood, and the comfort and hope that can be found in uniting our sufferings with Mary and Jesus. They share how Mary's example of surrender and reliance on God has helped them navigate their own grief journeys. They also discuss the importance of visual reminders, such as sacred art, to help deepen their connection with Our Lady. The conversation concludes with suggestions for incorporating devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows into daily life, including praying the Seven Sorrows Rosary and the Chaplet of Tears.

Takeaways:

• The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is centered around the seven sorrows of Mary. 

• Mary's suffering as a mother is unique and profound, and she is a model for grieving mothers.

• By uniting our sufferings with Mary and Jesus, we can find comfort, hope, and sanctification.

• The promises and graces associated with the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows offer peace, enlightenment, consolation, protection, and eternal happiness. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows can provide comfort and solace in times of grief.

• Mary's example of surrender and reliance on God can help navigate the journey of grief.

• Visual reminders, such as sacred art, can deepen the connection with Our Lady of Sorrows.

• Incorporating devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows into daily life can be done through praying the Seven Sorrows Rosary and the Chaplet of Tears.

Sound Bites:

• "We have this drive to protect our children at all costs"

• "We find ourselves somewhere in the seven sorrows"

• "Mary will give as much as they ask for, as long as it does not oppose the will of her divine son"

• "He was never yours. I gifted him to you. I let you have him, but he was always mine."

• "Our Lady of Sorrows wants you to draw closer to her. She wants to be able to help carry you."

• "A mournful sorrowful heart is holy."

“Tears are the heart's blood. When a heart is crushed by some great sorrow, overwhelmed with grief, its blood must flow; in flowing from the channel of the eyes it changes its name and color, this blood of the heart then becomes tears, and it is the heart that weeps; a tear is a drop of blood.” - St. Augustine

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, who didst endure a martyrdom of love and grief, beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus! Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption by thy innumerable afflictions and by offering to the Eternal Father His only-begotten Son as a holocaust and victim of propitiation for my sins. I thank thee for the unspeakable love which led thee to deprive thyself of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner. Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son, that I may steadfastly amend my life and never again crucify my loving Redeemer by new sins; arid that, persevering till death in His grace, I may obtain eternal life through the merits of His Cross and Passion. ~Prayer by Saint Bridget of Sweden