Thursday, September 14, 2006

DEVOTION CORNER "On the Seventh Dolour - The Burial of Jesus"
fragments from "Victories of the Martyrs" by St. Alphonsus Liguori

When a mother is by the side of her suffering and dying child, she undoubtedly suffers and feels all his pains; but after he is actually dead, when, before the body is carried to the grave, the afflicted mother must bid her child a last farewell; then, indeed, the thought, that she is to see him no more, is a grief that exceeds all other griefs. That we may better understand this last sorrow. We will return to Calvary and consider the afflicted mother who still holds the body of her lifeless son, clasped in her arms. O my Son, she seemed to say, in the words of Job "Thou art changed to be cruel towards me" Job 30:21. Yes, for all thy noble qualities, thy beauty, grace and virtues, thy engaging manners, all
the marks of special love you have bestowed upon me, all the particular favours you have bestowed upon me are no changed into grief. As so many arrows have pieced my heart, and the more they have caused me to love thee, the more they have caused me to feel thy loss.

Seven Promises to those who have devotion to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

- I will grant peace to their families.
- They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
- I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work
- I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
- I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
- I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother.
- I have obtained (this grace) from my divine son that those who propagate this devotion to my sorrows will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

after www.olrl.com