Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

   
 

Our Lady of Sorrows


In the Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of Sorrows is a title given to Mary, mother of Jesus.

It is also the name of the feast day dedicated to her, celebrated at September 15. Seven of Mary's sorrows are specifically honoured:

  • The prophecy of Simeon;
  • The flight to Egypt;
  • The loss of the child Jesus for three days;
  • Meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary;
  • The crucifixion and death of Jesus;
  • Jesus being taken down from the cross;
  • Jesus laid in the tomb.

The veneration of Our Lady of Sorrows was initiated in 1239 by the order of Servites in Florence.

The feast is of later date, established in the seventeenth century; originally celebrated on the last friday before Palm Sunday, in 1913 Pope Pius X set the date on September 15.

In iconography, Our Lady of Sorrows is represented as Mary, wounded by seven swords in her heart. She is the patroness of Slovakia and Mississippi.

Last updated: 05-06-2005 14:52:37