Our Lady of Sorrows

Our Lady of Sorrows

This feast dates back to the 12th century. It was especially promoted by the Cistercians and the Servites, so much so that in the 14th and 15th centuries it was widely celebrated throughout the Catholic Church. In 1482 the feast was added to the Missal under the title of "Our Lady of Compassion." Pope Benedict XIII added it to the Roman Calendar in 1727 on the Friday before Palm Sunday. In 1913, Pope Pius X fixed the date on September 15. The title "Our Lady of Sorrows" focuses on Mary's intense suffering during the passion and death of Christ. "The Seven Dolors," the title by which it was celebrated in the 17th century, referred to the seven swords that pierced the Heart of Mary. The feast is like an octave for the birthday of Our Lady on September 8th. — Excerpted from Our Lady of Sorrows by Fr. Paul Haffner (Inside the Vatican, September 2004)

This feast is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of Mary, Mother of God, and her compassion with the sufferings of her Divine Son, Jesus. In her suffering as co-redeemer, she reminds us of the tremendous evil of sin and shows us the way of true repentance. May the numerous tears of the Mother of God be conducive to our salvation; with which tears Thou, O God, art able to wash away the sins of the whole world.

As Mary stood at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus hung, the sword of sorrow Simeon had foretold pierced her soul. Below are the seven sorrows of Mary:

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
   
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
   
3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
   
4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
   
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
   
6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
   
7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

Symbols: heart pierced with a sword; heart pierced by seven swords; winged heart pierced with a sword; flowers: red rose, iris (meaning: "sword-lily"), cyclamen.

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?id=259

http://olrl.org/pray/msorrows.shtml

Admitted, Professed, Hallelujah!

Lay Dominicans del Espiritu Santo

On September 8, 2011, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Mass and Solemn Rite of Admission and Profession was held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee, Florida.  The Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Michael Tugwell, rector of the Co-Cathedral and con-celebrated by Fr. Viet Huynh of St. Margaret Parish in Monticello.  Col. Jo Ann Cotterman, O.P.  Provincial President of the Southern Dominican Province, officiated over the Rite of Admission and Profession.  Also in attendance were Ms. Donna Woods, O.P. and Br. Richard Bontempo, O.P.  Seven members took temporary promises and one candidate was admitted.  Mr. William O'Meara took permanent promises.  

The group as pictured above:

(L to R): Mr. Jody Finklea, O.P.; Mr. Mark Dunn, O.P.; Mrs. Ann Salancy, O.P.; Mr. Fred Salancy, O.P.; Mrs. Norma O'Meara, O.P.; Mr. William O'Meara, O.P.,  Mr. Lee Bowersox, Candidate; and Mr. Michael Pearson, O.P. 

Sister Rose's Passion

It is not often you find a film featuring a Dominican nun, much less a film as good as Sister Rose's Passion.  It profiles Sister Rose Thering, who became an outspoken critic of the Church's educational publications regarding Jews.  Her doctoral dissertation was used as scholarly reference for Nostra Aetate in which the Second Vatican Council rectified centuries of faulty teachings regarding people of the Jewish faith. 

This is a documentary short film (39 mins) and the DVD contains several bonus features, including interviews with Sister Rose and her fellow sisters not featured in the film.  It was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Best Documentary Short at the Tribeca Film Festival.   For more information, consult the Internet Movie Database link here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420195/ 


Veritas!