Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 15, 2023
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Reflection
A marketing expert trying to sell the public the joys of devotion to Mary might be hesitant to advertise Our Lady of Sorrows. On its face, it sounds too depressing.
Father Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, chose this feast as the patronal feast of his community not to be morbid or somber but because in his Catholic Christian faith, he had discovered a priceless treasure—a way of seeing the world that differed from many of his contemporaries.
At the center of Moreau’s vision was the image of the crucified Christ. This is where he found life and meaning. Consequently, what he saw as he looked around at his world were those who bear the Cross today—those who suffer in any way, those left behind or left out. He continued to see Christ in agony in the world, which is where he wanted to be in solidarity.
Moreau also found in Mary an immense source of comfort and reassurance. The scene in today’s gospel has Mary standing as a witness to her own son’s torture and death. She chose to be there, stubbornly, faithfully standing at the foot of the Cross. Ironically, we may find some comfort here. We see in this scene that Jesus is willing to join himself to the sufferings of every last person in every corner of the earth. We also see that Mary, our Mother, will not abandon us in our hour of need—that her heart is as big as her own Son’s suffering in the world.
The remaining question is, how big will we let our own hearts become? Will those around us find in us faithful, stubborn companions in their moments of need?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I place myself in your presence. I have set aside this moment so I can listen to your direction for this day. I believe that you are present with all the graces I need. I hope in you, Lord, because only in You can I eternally trust. Give me the awareness and courage to remove the beam from my eye that I might love you more dearly, see you more clearly, and follow you more nearly.
Saint of the Day

“There stood by the Cross of Jesus his mother Mary, who knew grief and was a Lady of Sorrows. She is our special patroness, a woman who bore much she could not understand and who stood fast. To her many sons and daughters, whose devotions ought to bring them often to her side, she tells much of this daily cross and its daily hope” (Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 8:120).
When deciding on a patron for the Congregation of Holy Cross, founder Blessed Basil Moreau selected Our Lady of Sorrows.
Moreau’s original vision was that the Congregation of Holy Cross, which founded the University, be one community of priests, brothers and sisters living and working together in imitation of the Holy Family. He consecrated the priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the sisters to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the brothers to Saint Joseph. He placed the entire Congregation under the patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Moreau often stressed the importance of conforming one’s entire life to Christ, which Mary models through her seven sorrows:
The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2: 34-35): Simeon told Mary that her son would be the rise and fall of many people and that a sword would pierce her heart so that many would know her thoughts.
The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13): Joseph responds to a dream to take Mary and Jesus into Egypt to keep them safe. Today, we pray for the safety and security of all refugees.
The loss of the child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43-45): Mary and Joseph thought Jesus was in the caravan after leaving Jerusalem. After three days, they found Jesus listening and teaching in the Temple of Jerusalem. Mary said to Jesus, “Why have you done this to us?”
Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary (Luke 23: 26-32): Jesus, carrying his cross told the women of Jerusalem not to weep for him, but for themselves and their children.
Jesus dies on the cross (John 19:25): Mary and John are bonded by the words of Jesus. The Church is born in this moment from suffering and relationship.
Mary receives the body of Jesus in her arms (Matthew 27:57-59): Mary receives her inconsolable suffering, the body of her son.
The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb (John 19:40-42): Mary and Jesus’ disciples stand together in their loss.
The Holy Cross motto, Ave crux, spes unica—“Hail the cross, our only hope”—invites us to stand at the foot of the cross alongside our sorrowful mother.
Mary is the perfect model of this hope. Even in the midst of her seven sorrows, she never despaired. Her faith endured through this suffering and so she shared in her Son’s victory over death. We believe that her intercession and patronage can help us do the same.
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is the biggest feast day for Congregation of Holy Cross priests, brothers, and sisters throughout the world. Each community honors the feast day differently, but members usually come together as a larger community for prayer and celebration.
Our Lady of Sorrows is depicted on campus in a number of ways, including this sculpture in the Cedar Grove cemetery on campus, and in this sculpture from the chapel in Howard Hall, which commemorates those who were killed in World War II.
Our Lady of Sorrows, you stood with hope by Jesus on the cross and are patroness of Holy Cross religious, pray for us!
To learn more, watch this video of Father Nate Wills, C.S.C., describing Our Lady of Sorrows to pilgrims who walked the Notre Dame Trail in celebration of Notre Dame's 175th anniversary.