Saint Our Lady of Sorrows

Our Lady of Sorrows (Latin: Beata Maria Virgo Perdolens), Our Lady of Dolours, the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows (Latin: Mater Dolorosa), and Our Lady of Piety, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours are names by which Mary, mother of Jesus, is referred to in relation to sorrows in life. As Mater Dolorosa, it is also a key subject for Marian art in the Catholic Church. The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a popular religious theme and a Catholic devotion. In common imagery, the Virgin Mary is portrayed sorrowful and in tears, with one or seven swords piercing her heart, iconography based on the prophecy of Simeon in Luke 2:34–35. Pious practices in reference to this title include the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, the Seven Principal Dolors of the Blessed Virgin, the Novena in Honor of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and the Via Matris. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is liturgically celebrated every 15 September, while a feast, the Friday of Sorrows, is observed in some Catholic countries. The Seven Sorrows (or Dolors/dolours) are events in the life of Mary that are a popular devotion and are frequently depicted in art. These Seven Sorrows should not be confused with the five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Traditionally, the Seven Sorrows are (with some variations, using nearby episodes): The Catholic devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows started to develop around the end of the 11th century, particularly in areas around the Mediterranean. In 1233, seven youths in Tuscany founded the Servite Order (also known as the "Servite Friars", or the "Order of the Servants of Mary"). Later in 1239, they took up the sorrows of Mary, standing under the Cross, as the principal devotion of their order. That year, according to Alphonsus Liguori in his book The Glories of Mary, Mary appeared to the seven founders presenting them the black "garment of mourning" that they would wear, telling them that they should often meditate upon her dolors.