Mary's Tears and Sorrows

I think knowing about someone's hardships and tough, interior moments makes it easier to get to know them. The walls are down, there is room to give comfort and consolation, and there is a pathway that links the two together, the sorrows that unite them. This is how I feel when I reflect upon Mary, Our Lady's sorrows. Tomorrow is the day to reflect upon her 7 sorrows throughout her life. I remember when I was in 4th grade, I heard about Mary providing 7 graces to the souls who venerated her sorrows. I would write in my journal/diary asking her to show me the graces because I wanted to know. I never received the answer then like I wanted. 

A few weeks ago when I was going through my prayer card collection, I came across a prayer card dedicated to Mary Our Lady of Sorrows. I hadn't fully memorized Mary's sorrows and now they were clearly written on this card. There were also the 7 graces bestowed on those who honor her tears and sorrows by saying a Hail Mary while reflecting on each sorrow. I've kept this card near to me, remembering to reflect upon Mary's sorrows in the morning when I wake up. I have felt closer to Mary due to this devotion and honoring the swords that pierced her heart. I have gotten to know her in a different, personal way. Mary was human too, and felt deeply though she was without sin. 

On this prayer card it shows Mary looking very sad and hurt, but still with her peaceful glow. She is holding close to her Jesus' crown of thorns and holding the 3 nails that hung Jesus on the cross. Her Immaculate heart is shown with 7 swords that have pierced and punctured her venerable heart. I can't help but look upon her sacred heart and how these events gave her a sword like piercing, that only she fully felt and endured. Mary truly is the one who was closest to Jesus. She bore Him in her womb and she understood His heart unlike any other. I have come to realize that to become closer to Mary one also becomes close to Christ.  Fulton J. Sheen had a deep devotion to Our Lady. Something that he wrote in his autobiography that interested me was, "When I was ordained, I took a resolution to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist every Saturday to the Blessed Mother, renewing my feeble love of her and invoking her intercession. All this makes me very certain that when I go before the Judgement Seat of Christ, He will say to me in His Mercy, 'I heard My Mother speak of you.' "

There is a saint whose religious name is devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows. His name is St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. He was a priest from the Passionist order and appeared to St. Gemma Galgani numerous times. He provided her relief and peace from her pain and sufferings. His life and conversion story is really powerful. He heard Our Lady speak to him from a picture of her and was inviting as well as commanding him to become a religious or else his life would be in deep turmoil. He didn't entirely get the hint until he realized what Our Lady meant. 

Mary knows what we need and how she wants us to become closer to her divine heart as well as her Son's. She wants us to honor her 7 sorrows and wishes to grant us her divine graces that Jesus has accepted to give us as well, these beautiful and generous graces. I want to continue honoring and getting to know Mary, and the beautiful and deep wounds of her heart.