Vigils Reading – Our Lady of Sorrows

THAT MY TEARS OF LOVE MAY MINGLE WITH YOURS

A reflection attributed to Jacopo da Todi6

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The sorrowful mother was standing in tears beside the cross on which her Son was hanging. Her soul was full of grief and anguish and sorrow, for the sword of prophecy pierced it.

How sad now and how unhappy at the fate of her only Son was that mother, once called blessed; how the faithful mother grieved and lamented as she saw her glorious Son so shamefully treated.

Who is there who would not weep, were he to see Christ’s mother in such great suffering? Or who could help feeling sympathy with the mother, were he to think of her sorrowing with her Son?

Yet she actually saw Jesus in agony and broken by the scourging, and this because of the sins of her own people. She saw her dear Son all the time he was dying and abandoned until he yielded up his soul.

Come then, mother, from whom all love springs, make me understand the meaning of your sorrow that I may mourn with you. Make my heart burn with love of Christ, my God, that he may look on me with favor.

Holy mother, do this for me. Pierce my heart once and forever with the wounds of your crucified Son. Let me share with you the pain of your Son’s wounds, for he thought it right to bear such sufferings for me.

Grant that my tears of love may mingle with yours and that, as long as I live, I may feel the pains of my crucified Lord. To stand with you beside the cross and be your companion in grief is my own wish.

Virgin without equal among virgins, do not now turn down my request; grant that I may mourn with you. Grant that I carry about the dying state of Christ; grant that I be a sharer of his passion; grant that I relive his wounds. Grant that I be wounded with his wounds; grant that I drink to my soul’s content of the chalice of his cross and blood. Be a defense to me, virgin Mary, on the judgment day, and I will not burn and be consumed in the fires of hell.

When it is time, Lord Christ, for me to leave this world, give me through your mother’s prayers the palm of victory. When my body is dead, grant that my soul be given the glory of paradise