Mater Dolorosa, Cause of our Joy

The devotion that we have in Miles Christi for the Most Blessed Virgin is centered above all on this most beautiful title: Mater Dolorosa, causa nostrae laetitiae – Mother of Sorrows, cause of our joy – whose feast we celebrate on September 15. Near the Cross of Jesus stood His mother (Jn 19:25), the Gospel tells us. She stood, firm and unshakable. Her Son was dying, and she was standing by the Cross, unwaveringly offering herself in sacrifice, assisting in the salvation of the human race as Co-Redemptrix, participating in an intimate and full way in the Passion of Jesus Christ. She was a martyr in her heart. In this way, the Mater Dolorosa gave us an example of firmness, constancy, submission, and heroic fortitude.

Human life on earth is a perpetual battle and cross (cf. Job 7:1). Let us approach, then, the suffering heart of the Mater Dolorosa, and she will teach us the science of perfect conformity with the Will of God in our tribulations; she will introduce us to the mystery of the Cross of the Lord, the only true consolation and joy of the soul. What can be said of her suffering? If, with the death of Christ, the earth trembled and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle; if the stones were split and the very heavens were darkened in mourning, what would the delicate heart of the Virgin not have felt at the sight of such a terrible spectacle? To what can I compare or liken you? says the Scriptures – great as the sea is your suffering (Lam 2:13). One thing we do know: she suffered to the measure that she loved Jesus: the measure of her suffering was the measure of her love. Just as we can never imagine how great the love of the Blessed Virgin was for her Son, so we can never imagine the immensity of the pain that tormented her most gentle heart. The prophecy of St. Simeon was fulfilled: A sword shall pierce your soul also (Lk 2:35).

Human life on earth is a perpetual battle and cross (cf. Job 7:1). Let us approach, then, the suffering heart of the Mater Dolorosa, and she will teach us the science of perfect conformity with the Will of God in our tribulations; she will introduce us to the mystery of the Cross of the Lord, the only true consolation and joy of the soul.