Our Lady's Fourth Sorrow

Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary

As Jesus makes his way to Calvary, condemned to crucifixion, He meets His mother, Mary. He is bruised, derided, cursed and defiled and her sorrow is absolute as Jesus drags His own cross up the hill of His crucifixion.

Mary, who was conceived and lived her entire earthly life without the slightest stain of sin - must have suffered immeasurably as she witnessed the slow death by torture of her Divine Son. He is God, truly God incarnate but is also the Son of Mary. Her heart nearly broken with sorrow, yet she remained by her Son till the last. She offered her suffering in union with her Son's to the Heavenly Father for the Salvation of the whole world. Jesus was and is the Lamb of God and carried His holy Cross for us, and Mary underwent crucifixion of her soul, silently and without complaint - completely conformed to the will of God for us! How unworthy we are of such a sacrafice! Let us compassionate our Mother's Sorrows!

Prayer

I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation

of thy heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross.

Dear Mother, by thy heart so troubled,

obtain for me the virtue of patience

and the gift of fortitude.

(Source: Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother

by TAN Books available for purchase here.)

Hail Mary...