Federico Suarez
For Reflection: In light of Matthew 7:14, how did the narrow way prepare Mary for Golgotha? How has each contradiction and sorrow of your life prepared you for the next? With supernatural outlook, see how these sufferings and difficulties have formed the path of your own Via Dolorosa. Giving your fiat at the foot of this, your cross, unite them to the Cross of Our Lord. Journal your insights.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
(Edith Stein)
For Reflection: Recall again that Scripture and Tradition tell us that Mary stood at the foot of the Cross. What is the significance of this stance and what does it indicate about Mary? How was this a “dying to one’s natural self,” in the sense and emotions as well as in the spirit? Read Matthew 7:14. Mary’s fiat gained was her gate to the narrow way, a way she followed all her life. What is your current sorrow? How can it be a narrow way for you?
In a garden Mary stood when Springtime’s radiant beauty Wrapped the world in sunlight and filled her heart with joy. Down the garden-path there ran a slender little Figure Bringing her a gift of love - He, her God, her Boy! Mary opened wide her arms to take her sheaf of lilies: "Mother!" called her little Son, and never had she heard In the angel’s message, in brooklet, or in bird-song, Music half so lovely as that one tender word.
On a hill-top Mary stood one sadder, later Springtime. All the earth was wrapped in gloom beneath that blood-stained Cross; Memories thronged about her, memories of His Childhood, Adding to her loneliness, her pain, her sense of loss. Mary opened wide her arms but His were nailed securely "Mother!" breathed her dying Son, and never had she heard In her sword-pierced heart that knew the very depths of sorrow Anything approaching the pathos of that word.
"Mother! Mother Mary!" a million hearts are calling, "Open wide again those arms, and in their warm embrace, Take the children Jesus gave you on that darkened hill-top When He named you Mother of the sin-stained human race."
Sr. Maryanna. Robert, Cyril. Our Lady’s Praise in Poetry. Poughkeepsie, New York: Marist Press, 1944. From the Mary Pages, University of Dayton.
For Reflection: Today’s poem gives one person’s reflections on what Mary could have been thinking and feeling as she watched her Son die. What aspect of this poem helps you to enter most deeply into Mary’s fifth dolor? Why do you think it touches you so. Prayerfully read St. John’s account of the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (19:16-30). Stand beneath the cross with Our Lady. What are you thinking and experiencing in that moment? How do you show solidarity with Our Lady? She with you? What suffering of your own life do you seek to unite to hers?
For Reflection: "Poetry is a literary genre that appeals to the imagination. It evokes emotion and sentiment, artfully draws connections and relationships, and leads toward a raising of the heart and mind to greater things. Some of the features of poetry are rhythm, grace, fluidity, musicality, form, and imagery. Consider Mother Angelica's comparison of woman as a poem. Why is this an apt metaphor? Consider the qualities Mother says the “poem of woman” embodies. What do they enable her to do? If these are true of woman, they are true to the superlative degree of Mary, the Perfect Woman. How do you think Mary was a poem at the moment the fourth dolor penetrated her heart?
Father Frederick Faber
For Reflection: How does Father Faber’s reflection echo Father Suarez’ reflection? Envision the gaze between Jesus and Mary when they meet on the Via Dolorosa. Enter into it. What were Mary’s eyes saying to her Son? What were Jesus’ eyes saying to His mother? Journal their unspoken conversation. Now envision Our Lord and Our Lady turning to you. What do their eyes say to you? What do your eyes respond?
Federico Suarez
For Reflection: In light of this quote, consider the fact that Mary was preserved from sin from the moment of her conception. What does this indicate about the intensity with which she could feel and participate in the Passion of her Son? With this in mind meditate again on Mary’s fourth dolor. Journal your insights and reflections.
Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman said this in his reflection on this dolor: Mary would rather have had all his sufferings herself, could that have been, than not to have known what they were by ceasing to be near him. ... He was now carrying the load of the world’s sins, and, all holy though he was, he carried the image of them on his very face. ... what a meeting of Mother and Son! Yet there was a mutual comfort, for there was a mutual sympathy.
For Reflection: Read St. Luke’s account of The Way of the Cross (23:26-31). Picture yourself in the scene as one of the women along the way. Imagine the encounter between Mary and Jesus. Journal your thoughts, inspirations, insights, and emotions.
Father Frederick Faber
For Reflection: Consider the main events of Mary’s life as recorded in Scripture up to this present dolor. They are the Annunciation, The Nativity, The Flight into Egypt, The Presentation, The Loss and Finding of Jesus in the Temple. What is the joy contained in each? What is the prophesy of the sorrow contained in each? For what was God preparing Mary’s heart? Do you think it could also be true that the sorrow also prepares our heart for greater joy? Why might this be the case?
Father Stefano Manelli
For Reflection: Reread Luke 2: 43-52. As you read, jot down the virtues you see in Mary or think would have been necessary for her in this suffering. In what ways do you think Mary lived these virtues prior to this dolor? Which of these virtues do you most need to emulate? How can practicing them now prepare you for potential trials the future may bring? Is there one you need to exhibit now? Ask Mary to procure the grace you need to do so.
Father Frederick Faber
For Reflection: This simple quote contains a deep and provocative message. Why do you think referring everything to God is the secret of being holy? How do we see Mary referring the pain of the third dolor of her heart to the will of God? How do you seek to live the reality of this quote? What current circumstance in your life is God asking you to refer to Him? Ponder it in your heart and journal your insights.
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