Our Lady of Sorrows
Sorrowful Mother, Marian Holy card collection, ML.031 Box 20, circa 1675 - 2018. Marian Library, University of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.
Country
Brazil
Description
A figure dressed in purple with a blue cloak and white veil Sister Amalia Aguirre while she was on her knees before the tabernacle. This figure was the Holy Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary glided towards her smiling, holding a rosary in her hand to explain the significance of her apparition: she was completing the vision Sister Amalia had had four months earlier.
On that day four months earlier, sister Amalia had been approached by a relative in great distress whose wife was terribly ill from an incurable disease and who was beginning to question what God expected of him. Deeply sorrowed, sister Amalia felt an impulse to visit with Jesus and decided to go to a nearby church in Campinas, Brazil to pray. She reverently prayed and even offered her life on behalf of her sick relative. Then Jesus spoke to her, “If you wish to receive this grace, ask Me for the sake of My Mother’s tears.” She reverently did so, and Jesus replied: “My daughter, whatever people will ask of Me for the sake for the tears of My Mother, I shall lovingly grant them.”
Four months later, on March 8th, 1930, Sister Amalia was on her knees praying before the tabernacle when she felt she was suddenly being raised up, and again saw a figure approaching her. The Holy Virgin Mary explained that the rosary she held was made from her tears and was entrusted by her Son to Sister Amalia. It is said that the rosary would provide for the conversion of sinners. The Blessed Virgin explained that the reason why she appeared with her eyes cast downward was because of her compassion towards humanity and because she has come from heaven to alleviate our suffering; her eyes will always be directed to our sorrows and afflictions.
After hearing of this miracle, Bishop Francisco Campos Barreto of Campinas approved the devotion to this rosary and recognized that the rosary granted grace to those venerating the tears of Our Lady. Many in Brazil, as well as Germany, Holland, and Belgium, have reported extraordinary favors and graces granted when they prayed the rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows. The accounts state that these prayers should be recited daily for nine days while receiving the holy sacraments and performing works of mercy. The rosary given to Sister Amalia by the Blessed Mother consists of 49 white beads that are divided into seven parts by seven larger beads of the same color, at the end of which are three more beads and a medal of our Lady of Tears.
References:
Oleszkiewicz-Peralba, Małgorzata. The Black Madonna in Latin America and Europe. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2007.
Santoro, Nicholas Joseph. Mary in Our Life: Atlas of the Names and Titles of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Bloomington: iUniverse, 2011.
Popular Devotions
Feast Day: September 15, a feast of Friday of Sorrows is observed in some Catholic countries.The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's and meditating on her tears and sorrows.
The devotion was passed on by St. Bridget.
THE SEVEN GRACES:
I will grant peace to their families.
They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
I have obtained from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.
SEVEN SORROWS
The prophecy of Simeon. (St. Luke 2:34, 35)
The flight into Egypt. (St. Matthew 2:13, 14)
The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. (St. Luke 2: 43-45)
The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
The Crucifixion.
The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
The burial of Jesus.
Hail Mary
Ave-Maria, cheia de graça, o Senhor é convosco, bendita sois
vós entre as mulheres a bendito é o fruto do vosso ventre, Jesus.
Santa Maria, Mãe de Deus, rogai por nós, pecadores,
agora e na hora da nossa morte.
Amen.
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