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Mater Dolorosa
Each of the seven swords piecing Mary’s heart represents a painful event in her life. 1. Simeon’s prophecy about the infant Jesus (Luke 2:34) “Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'This child is linked to the fall and rise of many in Israel, and is destined to be a sign that is rejected.’” 2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13). “After [the astrologers] had departed, a messenger of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying, ‘Get ready, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I give you instructions. You see, Herod is determined to hunt the child down and destroy him.’” 3. The young Jesus is missing for three days (Luke 2:43). “When the festival was over and they were returning home, young Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, without his parents knowing about it.” 4. Jesus’ apocryphal encounter with Mary on the way to his crucifixion (Luke 23:27). “A huge crowd of the people followed him, including women who mourned and lamented him.” 5. Mary witnesses the crucified Jesus (John 19:25). “Jesus’ mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdalane stood by his cross.” 6. Mary’s apocryphal laying hold of Jesus’ body from the cross (Matthew 27:59). “And taking the body, Joseph [of Arimathea] wrapped it in a clean linen shroud.” 7. Mary’s apocryphal presence at Jesus’ enshroudment (John 19:40). “So they [Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus] took Jesus’ body, and wound it up in strips of burial cloth along with the spices, as the Judeans customarily do to bury their dead.” Numbers 4, 6, and 7 are designated apocryphal because none of the Gospels mention Mary at these specific events. Nor do any of the so-called “Lost Books” of the Bible that recount these events, e.g., The Gospel of St. Peter. Her presence during the entire course of Jesus’ crucifixion and entombment was assumed and became a part of the traditional account. Medieval and Renassaince paintings and sculptures portraying these events routinely included Mary. In 1815 Pope Pius VII gave official Church approval to a devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. In this early 20th century holy card, Mary cradles Jesus’ crown of thorns and in her left hand holds the three large spikes Roman soldiers used to nail him to the cross.
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