Lady of Sorrows

Today I remembered Our Lady of Sorrows and the special graces she showered to help me discern the direction for Women of Peace. Here's an excerpt from the history page of this blog:

Listening carefully with the ear of my heart, praying for obedience and a brave heart to follow the Spirit's lead, strong instructions came concretely clear--"hold the first Women of Peace workshop on Sept. 15, 2001 on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Sorrows at the Convent of Our Sorrowful Mothers."

So I did just that! And sorrowful mothers we (retreatants) were that day. Only four days after 9/11, we were never more full of anxiety. The whole nation was grieved by the horrific violence and tragedy we had just witnessed days before. As the presenter of the Women of Peace workshop, I could hardly speak at times with so many broken hearts in the room. The divinely orchestrated moments of that poignant day were indelibly impressed on my heart forever.

In our grief and confusion we received consolation and clarity. As our minds listened to those timely messages, we received life in greater measure and truth that truly set us free...

Now here we are ten years later remembering our nation's sorrow over 9/11. Surely, Our Lady of Compassion still has a sword of sorrow piercing her heart for all the grave offenses that continue against the Sacred Heart of her son, Jesus, our Lord.

There is an incisive description of her seven sorrows on the following blog site: http://vultus.stblogs.org/2011/09/the-seven-sorrows-of-the-mothe.html

Let us ask for her intercession. Our Lady of Sorrows and of great compassion, pray for us.