Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Send us Fan MailMonday, 15 September 2025Memorial of Our Lady of SorrowsAntiphons and Readings on p 1750 of the Daily Missal First Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5.14-15.19 (R. 16b)R/. Save me, O Lord, in your merciful love.In you, O Lord, I take refuge.Let me never be put to shame.In your justice, set me free;incline your ear to me, and speedily rescue me.Be a rock of refuge for me,a mighty stronghold to save me.For you are my rock, my stronghold!Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.Release me from the snare they have hidden,for you indeed are my refuge.Into your hands I commend my spirit.You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord;I say, “You are my God.My lot is in your hands, deliver mefrom the hands of my enemiesand those who pursue me.How great is the goodness, Lord,that you keep for those who fear you,that you show to those who trust youin the sight of the children of men.R/. Save me, O Lord, in your merciful love. SEQUENCE (Poetic Text):At the cross her station keeping,Stood the mournful mother weepingClose to Jesus to the last.Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword had passed. Oh, how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother highly blest, Of the sole begotten One! Christ above in torment hangs. She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep,Whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold? Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain, In that Mother's pain untold? Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, She beheld her tender Child,All with bloody scourges rent. For the sins of His own nation, Saw Him hang in desolation Till His spirit forth He sent. O sweet Mother! font of love! Touch my spirit from above, Make my heart with thine accord. Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and meltWith the love of Christ my Lord.Holy Mother, pierce me through; In my heart each wound renew Of my Saviour crucified. Let me share with thee His pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torment died. Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning Him who mourned for me, All the days that I may live. By the Cross with thee to stay; There with thee to weep and pray, Is all I ask of thee to give. Virgin of all virgins blest, Listen to my fond request:Let me share thy grief divine.Let me to my latest breath, In my body bear the death Of that dying Son of thine. Wounded with His every wound, Steep my soul till it has swooned In His very blood away.Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, Lest in flames I burn and die,In His awful Judgment day. Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, Be Thy Mother my defence, Be Thy Cross my victory.While my body here decays, May my soul Thy goodness praise, Safe in heaven eternally. Amen.Gospel: John 19:25b-27Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that ho