Our Lady of Sorrows, also known as Mater Dolorosa, is a Marian devotion that honours the Virgin Mary in her role as bereaved mother, sharing in the sufferings of her son, Jesus Christ, during his passion and crucifixion. This devotion dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, but it has taken on a special significance throughout history, inspiring art, spirituality and prayer.
The reference to Our Lady of Sorrows is found in the Gospels, particularly in the Gospel according to Luke, where the prophet Simeon announces to Mary that a sword will pierce her soul. This premonitory moment underlines Mary's sorrowful destiny as the mother of Jesus, called to share her son's deep sorrows for the salvation of the world.
The iconography of Our Lady of Sorrows highlights the depiction of the Virgin Mary with seven swords piercing her heart, symbolising the seven sorrows that marked her life. These pains include Simeon's prophecy, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, the encounter with Jesus on the way to the cross, the crucifixion, the descent from the cross, and finally, the burial.
This devotion gained popularity in the Middle Ages, becoming a frequent subject in religious art. Artists depicted the Mater Dolorosa in paintings, sculptures and stained glass windows, seeking to capture the poignant expression of Mary's maternal pain. These works of art served to arouse the compassion of the faithful, inviting them to meditate on Mary's suffering and, by extension, the suffering of Christ.
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows also found its way into liturgy and spirituality. Specific prayers, such as the Stabat Mater, were composed to express Mary's pain before the cross. The faithful turn to Our Lady of Sorrows in their own moments of suffering, seeking her intercession and compassionate understanding.
Over the centuries, devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows has continued to evolve, being enriched by new expressions of faith. Marian apparitions, notably at Lourdes and Fatima, have often included elements of shared pain between the Virgin Mary and humanity. Successive popes have also emphasised the importance of this devotion, inviting believers to turn to Mary in their moments of pain and difficulty.
By celebrating Our Lady of Sorrows, Christians acknowledge the depth of Mary's maternal love and her intimate participation in the mystery of salvation. Through this devotion, believers are invited to contemplate the cross with the heart of Mary, to find comfort and hope in the shared compassion of the Mother of Sorrows.
