Sermon – Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows​ – September 15, 2026

Yesterday, as a church, we celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Today we commemorate the suffering of the Virgin Mary. The fact that these two days fall consecutively is no coincidence, because Mary's suffering is deeply linked to the Cross of Christ.

This devotion to the Virgin Mary developed from the earliest days of the Church and deepened particularly through reflection on Mary's participation in Jesus' suffering and death.

Over time, the Church began to specifically commemorate Mary's seven sorrows. Thus, Mary became an example for us as a mother who remained faithful to God even in suffering.

In today's Bible we read:

His mother stood beside Jesus' cross... (John 19:25)

This sentence says a lot: Mary did not flee. She stayed by her son's cross.

Yesterday we looked at the Cross; today we look at Mary standing beside the Cross. Because true love knows how to be there not only in times of joy, but also in times of sorrow.

Jesus says to Mary on the cross:

Woman, here's your son!

Then he said to his student:

Here's your mother!

Thus, Jesus entrusts Mary not only to John but to all his disciples as their mother. At the foot of the cross, Mary becomes the mother of all who believe in Christ.

Mary teaches us not to seek out suffering, but to remain faithful and supportive of God when suffering comes.

Today, many people carry their own cross: illness, loneliness, family problems, loss, fears, and tears...

Mary is a mother who understands all this, because she too shed tears under her son's cross. But her pain was not hopeless.

Even in her pain, Maryam continued to trust in God.

Let us ask the Virgin Mary to pray for us today.

May it teach us to remain steadfast on the Cross of Jesus in difficult times, to safeguard our faith, and not to lose hope.