Special Days....

Today, the 14th is the feast of the EXALTATION OF THE CROSS.  We usually see the cross as a symbol of Jesus' death and so a painful memory....yet a grateful sense.  BUT, we know that the cross is a symbol, a reminder of our REDEMPTION.  This is s joyful memory.  How grateful we are for Jesus taking on our load upon himself and SAVING US.  So gratitude.

This feast was established way back (I do not know my history)....but you may recall St. Helena who discovered the true cross.  Why don't your google this....interesting.

Let's renew our gratitude for the CROSS....perhaps by being more intentional in making the sign of the Cross.  Perhaps looking at how we handle the little "crosses" of our dailyness.

THEN....tomorrow the 15, we celebrate the feast of the SORROWFUL MOTHER. ...and why would I be so excited about that?  It is the feast of our congregation:  we are the SISTERS OF THE SORROWFUL MOTHER.   Our sisters locally are getting together for dinner.

Another title is Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows.  We honor seven of Mary's sorrowful events....I'm sure there were more.  I'd like to share them with you.

1.  The Prophecy of Simeon...when baby Jesus was presented in the temple, Simeon said to Mary: your heart a sword shall pierce.
2.  The Flight into Egypt:  Joseph taking Mary and the child fleeing to Egypt to save Jesus' life.
3.  The Loss of Jesus for three days....on their trip to Jerusalem, the 12-year old disappeared...isn't that just like a 12-year old?
4.  Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary
5.  Mary is with Jesus as he is crucified and dies on the Cross
6.  Mary receives the body of her Son into her arms....(the Pieta)
7.  Mary buries her son   

These are the "mysteries" of the chaplet of the Sorrowful.  It consists of an Our Father
and seven Hail Mary's followed with a Glory Be...

Perhaps you can join us in this prayer...or the "Stabat Mater"...a long "story" prayer to Mary
See what you can find with google "Stabat Mater".

"Holy Mother pierce me through
In my heart each wound renew  
Of my Savior crucified....(from the Stabat Mater)

Join us in this celebration of gratitude to Mary, our Sorrowful Mother.