Mary Mother of Sorrows,

pray for us!

Oh, holy Mary, we honor you under many titles:  Queen, Virgin Mother, Morning Star, Mystical Rose.  In our litany, we sometimes forget to think of you as our Sorrowful Mother.  Today, though, my thoughts turn to you as one who knew sorrow as no one else ever could.  Because at this moment, I grieve a tremendous loss, I have a keener understanding of your sorrows.  You buried your spouse and courageously bore the responsibility of rearing your Son alone.  For the sake of your divine Son, you were intent upon keeping your home prayerful, happy and healthy.  Help me as I struggle to regain my composure - for the sake of my family.  Mary you let go when it was time for Jesus to move into his public life and begin his journey to Calvary; you watched it all happen day by day; in the end, you stood at the Cross and finally embraced his mangled body in your arms.  I rely on you to obtain for me the graces I need to face my insecurities and to remember lovingly my wonderful years with our dear ________.  I do not like to think of my losses, but I find courage in you and joy in the memories our family cherishes.  As sorrow washes over my spirit, help me to embrace it as a sign of how much I loved and was loved.  Mary, I abandon myself to your loving embrace.  Amen.

by Sr. Irene Charette