Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows

Today, Sunday, September 7, 2008 begins a novena to Our Lady of Sorrows, the Patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross, whose feast falls on September 15th.

The First Sorrow of Mary, the Prophecy of Simeon

Most sorrowful Virgin,
sorrow filled your heart when,
on offering your divine Son in the temple,
holy Simeon told you that a sword would pierce your soul,
and you knew then that you would be asked to suffer with Jesus.
I wish to join with you in this sorrow,
and I ask you, O Queen of Martyrs, to obtain for me
the grace that I may always remember my death, which will help to keep me from all sin.
Hail Mary…