Saturday - Day of Our Lady

Let us try to imagine the scene of Jesus crucifixion. We can see those who loved Him most gathered under the Cross,

or watching from the distance, all in great sorrow.


His mother's heart bleeds with indescribable pain.

The last moments of our Lord's Passion slowly unravel before our eyes. Suddenly, we realise Jesus is whispering something. We come closer to be able to hear His words. He is giving to His mother and St John gentle command of mutual commitment. It is symbolic act, for St John represents all Catholics. Remarkably, John is the most beloved disciple of Jesus and very close to His mother. He comforts her right now at the foot of the Cross. Since that moment on Mary, mother of Jesus became our most blessed and beloved Mother, our Refuge, our Helper and Mediatrix of all Graces, our most faithful and successful intercessor and blessing to every Catholic soul. Thank you Lord for Your beloved Mother and our Mother. Do we love her and honour her enough? Do we always remember to give her thanks for favours, blessings, answered prayers, petitions granted through her intercession? Do we try to imitate her virtues, praying for the share of those we are in greatest want of? Let us pray to increase our trust and devotion to Our Lady.

John 19:25-27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother

and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.

When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother.

And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

Pictures credit: Our Lady of Sorrows - miraculous crowned image of Our Lady from the Franciscan Church in Cracow, Poland. Other pictures are by James Tissot (Disciples watching crucifixion from afar, Our Lady sorrowing under the Cross), Bernard Plockharst (St John took her to his own), William Blake (Behold Thy Mother), Ary Scheffer (Three Marys) and Peter Muenster (Stabat Mater).