During September we celebrate
two Marian Feasts that highlight the ups and downs of everyone’s life whether
outstanding saint or worst of sinner. On September 8, we celebrate the Nativity
of Mary. Exactly one week later we encounter Our Lady of Sorrows.

Many of us at St. Walburg also
celebrate Mary’s nativity as the anniversary of the day we entered this
Monastery. In the days when a group of young ladies were simultaneously
expressing interest in becoming nuns, they were encouraged to enter the same
day; namely on Sept. 8. After a period of postulancy and a year as a novice, we
received a new name. The name of Mary then took on new significance as the name
Mary preceded the new name, which for me was Sr. Mary Victoria. While many of
us just use the second part of our title, the name Mary is written in our hearts.

So many of today’s headlines
refer to mothers who live with unbearable sorrows: refugee mothers who do not
know where their children are, mothers whose children were murdered or
kidnapped, mothers who mourn for their children who are addicted or commit
suicide. The list could be endless. Our Lady of Sorrows, comfort the hearts of
all sorrowful mothers.
Sr. Victoria Eisenman, OSB
Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg;
ReplyDeletePlease pray that I find a job so I can provide my household upkeep.
Thanks and God bless you,
Dave Arvin
Dear Sister, thank for this good message. Our Lady of Sorrows is a powerful figure for our understanding of salvation. She suffered for the one she loved, and many suffered out of love for us in our lives, they figure for us the Holy Mother. It is also true that past society burdened women very heavily in various ways & and today we strive to be more just and compassionate. How often women bore the blame for what was not their fault! She is truly another form of the suffering Christ on Cross, showing Christ to us in a different form. May the resurrection of her son be also her resurrection in our hearts day by day -- merciful, forgiving, patient, loving. God bless OSB amen.
ReplyDeleteYesterday on 8/10/2018 was the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, a great day that was given to us by pope Paul VI. Our Lady of sorrow shows me how a loving Mother is capable to suffer for my sake and ponder everything into her heart. Thank you Sister for the message.
ReplyDeletewww.catechesismavoko.net.