24/05/2026
THE SORROWFUL VIRGIN (Mater Dolorosa)
– Daily
25 May 2026 | Monday
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Gospel: John 19:25-34
Mass readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052526.cfm
Sharer: Fr. Edwin Beley
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Reflection verse:
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother…”
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THE SORROWFUL VIRGIN (Mater Dolorosa)
We can call Monday after Pentecost Sunday as LUNES DE DOLORES because we commemorate the sorrows in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of the Lord.
At first, I struggled to understand the true spirit of the celebration of Our Sorrowful Mother. Are we supposed to hold a feast or rejoice because seven swords pierced the heart of the Blessed Mother? What exactly is there to celebrate?
I reflected on this deeply. Must blood really be shed for salvation to come? Did Mary have to nearly die from grief and pain in order to become the Mother of the Savior?
Let us focus our attention on Mary standing at the foot of the Cross. Mary was not merely standing at the foot of the Cross — she stood her ground for the will of the Father. In relation to this, Fulton Sheen once said: “We have a God who came down from Heaven, but never came down from the Cross.” Mary was the same. She remained there. She stood by her Son and by her God until the very end.
This is the reason for our celebration and rejoicing. We celebrate because of God’s love for us — a love that was not defeated by the cross of suffering and pain. We rejoice in the faithfulness of the Blessed Mother despite the swords that pierced her heart. She remained steadfast in the face of the bitterness and terror of the Cross. God is victorious and triumphant! He prevailed in the midst of human cruelty. Mary remained faithful. Her love remained faithful.
Let us now apply this to our own lives. It is also love that lies behind our carrying and enduring our own crosses every day: as priests, parents, children, servant-leaders, and ordinary people. Sometimes we want to put our crosses down, or perhaps we no longer want to stand firm in bearing them. They are difficult, heavy, exhausting, and wearisome. Yet because we love, we eventually pick them up again and continue with the journey bearing our crosses. It is love that saves, not suffering alone. It is faithfulness and steadfastness, not sorrow itself.
What we celebrate is not Mary’s grief alone, but her fidelity and courage. It is the triumph of love that we proclaim and honor today.
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Reflect:
On this day, I invite everyone to reflect on our own lives. “Have I done things that hurt the heart of my own mother? Have there been moments when I raised my voice at the woman who gave birth to me and cared for me? Have there been times when I spoke harshly to the person who taught me how to speak?”
If so, it would be good for us to say sorry to them. They are growing old. They will not be with us forever. Let us comfort their sorrowful hearts.
