Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
The Virgin and Child Appearing to St. Francis of Assisi, Francesco Vanni, ARSH 1599.
Today, Friday in Passion Week, is also the Commemoration of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin are:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon in Luke 2
2. The Flight into Egypt
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
4. Mary Meets Jesus as He Carries His Cross to Calvary
5. The Death of Jesus on the Cross
6. The Piercing of Jesus’ Side and His Deposition from the Cross
7. The Burial of Jesus in the Tomb
There are many excellent works of art depicting various saints having visions of the Blessed Virgin holding the Infant Jesus. I find all of these paintings to be especially striking and moving because the saint is either reaching up toward or already holding the Infant Jesus, and the Blessed Virgin is handing or has happily handed Him over.
Think about that.
We’re all sinners, even the saints, with the singular exception of the Blessed Virgin herself. Thus, every one of these people, and every one of us through our sins, killed Her Baby. And not only does she love us and want to be our Mother, she will even let us hold Her Baby despite the fact that we are His killers.
Please remember this the next time you hear someone attempt to trivialize or denigrate the Blessed Virgin. Her love for us is unfathomable.
