Homily: September 15, 2026, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.

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 “And you yourself a sword will pierce.”

Today, September 15, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. We remember the sufferings Mary experienced throughout her life, especially as the Mother of Jesus.

Traditionally, the Church remembers seven sorrows of Mary: the prophecy of Simeon; the flight into Egypt; the loss of the child Jesus in the Temple; Mary meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary; Jesus dying on the Cross; Mary receiving the body of Jesus into her arms. and finally, the burial of Jesus.

What does this feast teach us?

First, it teaches us that sorrow is part of human life. None of us can go through life without experiencing suffering, disappointment, loss, or grief.

But Mary teaches us something even deeper: suffering does not mean that God has stopped loving us.

Mary was loved by God in a unique way. She was full of grace and chosen to be the Mother of his Son. Yet being close to God did not protect her from suffering. She stood beneath the Cross and watched her own Son suffer and die.

Sometimes, when something painful happens, we may ask, “Why is God allowing this? Does God really love me?” Our Lady of Sorrows gives us the answer. Yes, God loves us—even in our suffering.

God does not necessarily take every cross away. Instead, he asks us, like Mary, to remain faithful beneath the Cross. And when we unite our suffering with the suffering of Christ, God can bring grace even from our pain—for our own sanctification and for the good of others.

Mary did not understand everything that happened to her, but she trusted. She remained with Jesus from Bethlehem to Calvary.

Today, Our Lady of Sorrows teaches us a simple prayer for the difficult moments of our lives:

Mary, when the sword of sorrow pierces my heart, help me to stand with you beneath the Cross and trust that God is still with me. Amen.


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