On Wednesdays and Fridays at St. Simeon Skete and also every third Sunday of the month, we say the "Savior's Last Appeal" Rosary as part of our Compline. It is a devotion with great meaning to us. And when it is the Lenten Season, it is used at Compline Monday thru Friday.
At the Knock Shrine in Ireland Mary appears with Joseph and St. John coinciding with the Seven Sorrows.
THE ROSARY OF THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY
History: This devotion was publically announced to mankind by our Lord in His agony on the Cross, when He said to St. John: “Behold thy mother” (Jn. 19:27). Though it historically has been known as The Seven Sorrows of Mary, it is significant to note that the first three of Mary’s sorrows were shared with St. Joseph and the last four with St. John, the Beloved. In choosing to practice this devotion, we enter into the sorrows as places for our own life’s struggles. -Seraphim
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are as follows:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2: 22-35 /vv34-35/)
2. The massacre of the Innocents and flight into Egypt. (Mt.2:13-21)
3. The loss of the Child Jesus for three days. (Luke 2:41-52)
4. Mary meets Jesus carrying His Cross. (John 19:17; Lk.23:27; Isa 53:6)
5. The Crucifixion. (John 19:18-30)
6. Mary receives the Body of Jesus from the Cross. (John19:38; Lam. 1:12)
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in the tomb. (John 19:38-42; 2Tim. 2:11)
The attitudes that we learn from Mary's example must be lived if we truly want them to have any real meaning for us. They cannot be mere fashion accessories: they must be decisions that shape the quality of our lives. Such decisions, however, are not solely our own invention, they are in response to God's grace. Even more, they invite God to work within us, and they express our commitment to cooperate with that work. Mary of Sorrows sets a pattern of life before us. Our spiritual lives must involve more than contenting ourselves to be carried along by current trends and rapidly developing events. We must take a decisive stance by which we choose to follow and remain close to Jesus regardless of where that might lead. Just as Mary remained as close to Jesus as the Roman executions allowed. She was no bystander on this painful journey. For her, as for her Son, this was the time for allowing God's will to be revealed regardless of what it may bring.
Retablo housed at Anna House, St. Simeon Skete
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are as follows:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2: 22-35 /vv34-35/)
2. The massacre of the Innocents and flight into Egypt. (Mt.2:13-21)
3. The loss of the Child Jesus for three days. (Luke 2:41-52)
4. Mary meets Jesus carrying His Cross. (John 19:17; Lk.23:27; Isa 53:6)
5. The Crucifixion. (John 19:18-30)
6. Mary receives the Body of Jesus from the Cross. (John19:38; Lam. 1:12)
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in the tomb. (John 19:38-42; 2Tim. 2:11)
The attitudes that we learn from Mary's example must be lived if we truly want them to have any real meaning for us. They cannot be mere fashion accessories: they must be decisions that shape the quality of our lives. Such decisions, however, are not solely our own invention, they are in response to God's grace. Even more, they invite God to work within us, and they express our commitment to cooperate with that work. Mary of Sorrows sets a pattern of life before us. Our spiritual lives must involve more than contenting ourselves to be carried along by current trends and rapidly developing events. We must take a decisive stance by which we choose to follow and remain close to Jesus regardless of where that might lead. Just as Mary remained as close to Jesus as the Roman executions allowed. She was no bystander on this painful journey. For her, as for her Son, this was the time for allowing God's will to be revealed regardless of what it may bring.
