Dear Mothers,

The month of September is traditionally dedicated to honor the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows, a title given to Mary because she endured alongside our Lord Jesus Christ during His Passion.
Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the many titles bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary. This title finds its roots in Simeon’s prophecy during the presentation of our Lord Jesus in the Temple. As we read in the Gospel of Luke: “The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and 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.” (Luke 2:33-35)
The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Sept. 15, calling on us the faithful to reflect on the seven sorrows of the Blessed Mother. These seven sorrows are: the prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35), the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), the loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50), Mary meets Jesus on His way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17), the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30), the body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37), and the burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47).
Dear brothers and grandmothers, the Sorrowful Mother is remembered with great praise for her complete surrender and sacrifice to God. Through her fiat-her faithful “yes” to God, she gave us our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. She gave herself completely to God and through her obedience, accomplished the greatest sacrifice a creature can offer to her Creator. In union with her Son, and out of her great love for Him, she remained faithful even in the midst of profound suffering.

The title of Our Lady of Sorrows reveals not only the Blessed Mother’s great love for her Son, but also her great love for each one of us and her maternal mission toward all her children. Through her tears, she accompanies and nourishes us on our journey toward the life of Heaven to bring us up to her Son. Through her constant intercession, she pleads and supplicates before the heavenly throne of God for mankind. Our Lord Jesus, her beloved Son, never ceases to love and honor His Mother, and following His example, we too are called to love and honor her.

The Blessed Mother was greatly afflicted because she shared so intimately in the sufferings of the Redeemer. Her Sorrow did not end at the foot of the Cross; as our spiritual Mother, she continues to weep endless tears for the conversion of mankind and continues to intercede for the conversion of the world. Therefore, during this month of September, dedicated to the Sorrowful Mother, I encourage all of you mothers and grandmothers first, to keep praying for your children asking the Blessed Mother to guide them, to protect them, to show them their vocation in life, to deliver them from harmful ways. Secondly, to entrust yourselves, your children, your homes and everything to her maternal hands seeking her intercession as we pray:

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
With Blessings,
+Fr. Gabriel Barrera.