Today’s feast is Our Lady of Sorrows and we stand beneath the cross with Mary, gazing on her dying son (John 19:25–27). Perhaps she recalled Simeon’s prophesy so many years before when she and Joseph presented the Holy Child in the Temple: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” And her heart is indeed pierced with sorrow. 

Even on the cross, Jesus is concerned for His mother.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” 

Not only does He instruct John to take Mary as his own mother, but he instructs Mary to accept John as her own son. Mary is completely united with her son in His divine mission:

She is the first Christian because she accepted the gospel and gave her "yes" to God's plan of redemption. She followed her son to the cross and she prayed for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all the disciples at Pentecost. She is a model for us of faith and obedience, hope and perseverance, and love and fidelity.

Our Holy Father Dominic had a strong love for Mary and placed the care of the Order under her patronage. Dominic preached wherever possible and on his walks through southern France, to Paris, to Madrid, to Rome, he would sing the Ave Maris Stella and the Veni Creator Spiritus. He suffered hardships on these journeys, but with joy. He praised, blessed and preached the Gospel of her Son. Dominic’s Order exists to praise, bless, and preach her Son. She is our special mother.

As we stand at the foot of the cross with our Sorrowful Mother, are we ready to take up our cross and follow the Lord Jesus in his way of love and sacrifice? 

St. Dominic, man of faith, pray for us.