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.
The entrance antiphon for the
Mass of Mary’s nativity sets the tone for our celebration,”Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God.” I smile
when I compare these words with what Joachim and Ann may have uttered. Elated
as they were, how different our perspective after over two- thousand years. In
awe and joy, we can pray,”Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now
and at the hour of our death.”
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.
What a contrast one week
later when we celebrate Our Lady of Sorrows!
Almost any reference lists Mary’s sorrows as seven beginning with the
prophesy of Simeon that a sword would pierce Mary’s heart and ending with
Christ’s entombment. While seven may be obviously Mary’s very worse sorrows,
much of her life likely contributed to her title as Our Lady of Sorrows.
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
