From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   September 15th - Our Lady of Sorrows   
      
   Today we commemorate Our Lady of Sorrows, a feast which originated in 15th   
   century France, commemorating the five sorrows of Mary during Jesus'   
   Passion. The Servite Order was celebrating this feast in 1668 under the   
   title of the "Seven Sorrows," and Pope Pius VII in 1814, after his release   
   from captivity in France, extended its celebration to the entire Church.   
   During the Middle Ages there was a devotion to the five joys of Mary, which   
   was later complemented by the five sorrows. These were centered on the   
   Passion of Jesus, but when the Servites were permitted to celebrate a   
   special feast in honor of Mary's sufferings, it was changed to seven and   
   embraced all of Mary's life. They are numbered as follows:   
      
   Luke 2:34-35 (The prophesy of Simeon), "Simeon blessed them and said to Mary   
   his mother, 'You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the   
   rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected-and a sword   
   will pierce your own soul too..."   
      
   Matthew 2:13-15 (The flight into Egypt), "...the angel of the Lord appeared   
   to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother with   
   you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod   
   intends to search for the child and do away with him'..."   
      
   Luke 2:46-50 (3 days disappearance of the boy Jesus) "...Three days later   
   they found him in the Temple,... and his mother said to him, '...See how   
   worried your father and I have been, '..."   
      
   Matt 27:26-31 (The painful progress to Calvary), "...He ordered Jesus to be   
   first scourged...The governor's soldiers took Jesus...and having twisted   
   some thorns into a crown they put this on his head...And they spat on   
   him...and struck him on the head...when they had finished making fun of   
   him...led him away to crucify him."   
      
   John's Gospel 19:23-27 (The crucifixion), "When the soldiers finished   
   crucifying Jesus...Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother..."   
      
   Luke 23:51-53 (Jesus taken down from the cross), "He came from   
   Arimathaea...and asked for the body of Jesus. He then took it down and   
   wrapped it in a shroud..."   
      
   Mark 15:46 (entombment), "He laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of   
   the rock."   
      
   These Scriptures texts make it easier to see Mary's special place in the   
   hearts of Christians. She experienced the multiple joys and blessings of   
   motherhood, but also the deep sorrows of her Son's sufferings. Jesus on   
   Calvary, gave his mother to all who follow him. She is one who understands   
   and can help us face the pain or sorrow we meet in this life.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "There would be no need for sermons, if our lives were shining; there would   
   be no need for words, if we bore witness with our deeds. There would be no   
   pagans, if we were true Christians."   
   -Saint John Chrysostom   
      
   Bible Quote:   
    Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   YOUR CROSS   
      
   The everlasting God has in His   
   Wisdom foreseen from eternity,   
   the cross He now presents to   
   you as a gift from His   
   innermost heart. This cross He   
   now sends you He has   
   considered with his all-knowing   
   eyes, understood with His   
   divine mind, tested with His   
   wise justice, warmed with   
   loving arms and weighted with   
   His own hands to see that it   
   not be one ounce too heavy for   
   you. He has blessed it with His   
   Holy Name, anointed it with His   
   grace, perfumed it with his   
   consolation, and taken one last   
   glance at you and your courage   
   -has sent it to you from   
   heaven, a special greeting   
   from God to you, an alms of   
   the all merciful love of God.   
         St. Frances de Sales   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)