From Our Lady of Sorrows to St. Padre Pio

Blessed Mother of those whose names you can read in my heart, watch over them with every care. Make their way easy and their labors fruitful. Dry their tears if they weep; sanctify their joys; raise their courage if they weaken; restore their hope if they lose heart, their health if they be ill, truth if they err, and repentance if they fall. Amen.

As we finish the first nine days of our triple novena, we find ourselves on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, originally (in the 12th century) the Feast of Our Lady of Compassion.

Just as she had compassion for Jesus in His sufferings on Calvary, so too she has compassion on us in all our sufferings. On Good Friday of 1946, Jesus explained to our little brother Marcel Van the depth of Our Blessed Mother's love for us, and I can't find any words better for this feast. Jesus said, speaking of His Passion:

Finding myself in the presence of my Mother, I suffered with joy. At that moment, when all the creatures of the world seemed to have abandoned me, only my Mother remained to comfort me. Even God the Father seemed to wish no longer to look at me; but my Mother Mary did not cease to look at me until the time when I escaped from suffering. Oh! Little brother, Mary is your real Mother as well as mine. When she sees you suffer, she is closer to you to console you, for all time until you, too, will have escaped all suffering. Mary, you are the true Mother of Marcel, the real Mother of all souls; never be far from your children.

Mary is your true Mother, and you are really her child. Always think of her; she understands you better than you understand yourself. She knows your sufferings, she is always close to you, carrying you unceasingly in her arms and covering you with kisses . . . 

Little brother, no matter how great your sufferings, always remind yourself that I, also, have suffered, but Mary has comforted Me. It will be the same for you. Mary will never abandon you in your suffering. Besides, when you suffer, it is she who suffers even more, since she is your Mother . . . 

*  *  *

We know from our own experience that those who love each other hate to see each other suffer, and yet what a unique case for Jesus and Mary. They knew the great good this suffering of Jesus on the Cross and Mary at His feet would gain for the rest of us, and so in the mystery of God, they could find joy too. 

Thank you, Blessed Mother, for accepting all your sorrows and suffering with us too. Now as we head toward your beloved son Padre Pio's feast, help his sentiments and his love for you become ours too!

We have nine days to September 23rd, and many miracles to request. Padre Pio, like our sister St. Therese, loves to shower miracles upon those who seek his help. I know for myself I have trouble remembering all the intentions I want to pray for, and new ones are added each day. Let's trust Our Lady to know the deepest desires of our hearts as well as the needs of those we love, and let's begin again:

Blessed Mother of those whose names you can read in my heart, watch over them with every care. Make their way easy and their labors fruitful. Dry their tears if they weep; sanctify their joys; raise their courage if they weaken; restore their hope if they lose heart, their health if they be ill, truth if they err, and repentance if they fall. Amen.

St. Padre Pio, pray for us!

Draw me; we will run!