3: Our Lady of Sorrows: Prophecy of Simeon: Unexpected Sorrows

 There's been so many times in history that a statue of Our Lady sheds miraculous tears. 

These flowers, on my morning walk, made me think of Mary's femininity.

There have been over 20 statues of Mary that weep and several dozens of paintings. People often ask themselves who put the tears there intentionally, and although some have been intentionally misleading, many are genuine unexplained miracles. What could Mary cry for? She was perfect, immaculately conceived without sin, the Mother of God, why could she be sad or cry if she were perfect? Well, it just goes to show that Mary, in her perfection, lived and lives the emotions God gives to us. Her maternal heart weeps for her children: for you, for me, and especially for those who suffer and are bound to their sin. 

Our Lady of Akita, Japan is one of many weeping statues.

When Jesus was a tiny little baby, Mary and Joseph followed the Jewish law and took Him to the temple to be dedicated to God. There at the temple was an older man named Simeon who was devout and righteous and the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn't die till he met the Messiah. Well, on a beautiful day Mary and Joseph entered the temple with their little bundle of joy, Jesus. Simeon, recognized this little baby was the long awaited Messiah, and approached the young family and then told Mary somethings she didn't expect to hear: "This child is destined to be the cause of many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul." (Luke 2: 34-35)

Mary, therefore, understands the sorrows of parents when they hear news of their child that feels so painful it is like a sword piercing their very souls. In the honor of Mary's sorrow having Simeon reveal that her soul would be pierced with pain, I would like to pray today for Mary to intercede in the lives of her children who have unexpected sorrows.

Today I took a third rose from Mary and went looking for a ghost bike, where a cyclist has died. The ghost bike I looked for had been removed, or stolen. So I went back to my neighborhood and placed the rose where one of my neighbors met God: at a tree. One fine day my neighbor left his house, turned the corner and met the tree and God all in one place. There is no memorial and nothing unusual about that spot except the tree that lost a little bark. I thought of him, of his old vintage Mercedes, and thought of how special a place is where a person meets God and all the angels in eternity. I prayed for him. May God have mercy on his soul.

Day 3: Unexpected Sorrows that Pierce the Soul

In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Holy Father, hear and answer our prayers through the intercession of the Blessed Mother of Sorrows. Holy Mother, today I come to ask for intercession in prayer for people who have experienced unexpected news that brought their souls sorrow. I ask for the parents of unborn children who have been diagnosed with an illness, for God to strengthen them and comfort them showing His mercy in each day. I pray for them to see the precious value of their unborn child with special needs. I pray today for children who have been hurt in accidents, and for their parents to have comfort and wisdom as they are in the hospital. I pray for all people who have been in cycling accidents and for the relatives of those who have lost a family member in a bicycle accident. Mother of Sorrows, be near to them and comfort their hearts as they heal from these wounds of heart and body. I pray for parents who will loose a young child unexpectedly, for Mary to put her mantle of strength and comfort on them as they go forth in the days to come without their child. And Mother of Sorrows, I especially pray for all Afghan mothers who unexpectedly had their child die while leaving or trying to leave Afghanistan. Please protect those Afghan mothers and reveal yourself to their hearts and comfort them. 

I pray for my special intention in this novena (Name your intention). If it be the will of God the Father Almighty, please intercede for me and for this intention, Holy Mother of Sorrows. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, a world without end. Amen.