Nuestra Señora Dela Soledad Parish

THE BELOVED VIRGIN OF SOLEDAD

The experience of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Calvary was the most painful chapter in her life: witnessingthe suffering and death of her Son nailed to the Cross. After Jesus was buried, Mary felt the deepest anguish at the loss of the Son of God who had dwelt in her immaculate womb, slept in her embrace, preached, performed miracles, and fulfilled the will of the Father. As Simeon had prophesied, Mary's heart was pierced with a sword (Lk 2:35). Nevertheless, despite everything, the Beloved Mother remained hopeful in God and in the fulfillment of His promise. Her faith and hope gave her the courage, so that from the foot of the cross to the tomb, she became the support for her companions, including the Apostle John, Mary Magdalene, and some women, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea.

In contemplating the passion and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, Christians realize the profound sorrow of the Blessed Mother in her participation in her Son's fate. They understand the depth and richness of Mary's faith in wholehearted acceptance and surrender to God. This is the Sorrowful Virgin: Mary, who mourns, is filled with hope, prays in solitude, and reflects on her longing with peace and faith because she experiences unity with God.

Devotion to the Sorrowful Virgin Mary began in the 12th century and is widespread today, especially in Spanish-speaking countries. Although the devotion to the Sorrowful Virgin is related to the Virgin of Sorrows, her image is not that of a grieving or weeping mother but an expression of the character of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who prays and ponders to discern the will of God. She is the Virgin who reigns with God and submits to the mystery of God. The Sorrowful Virgin Mary makes us feel her solidarity in our hardships and pains, distress and sorrow, experiences of inadequacy, failure, and downfall, yet she leads us to a stage of profound hope in God because she trusts in the eternal mercy and compassion of the mighty and loving God.

PRAYER

Loving Father, you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the Mother of your only Son, who brought us salvation from sin. You gave her to us to be our Mother and an example of holiness and obedience to your will.

May it please you, through the guidance of the Sorrowful Virgin Mary, that we may live faithfully according to your will, strive in prayer, and devote time to pondering your Word, especially in moments of trial and great need in life. Along with our Beloved Mother, we humbly kneel, asking you to grant our petitions.

We also pray that we may remain on the path of holiness to attain the promise of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, together with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Participate in Youth Events

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS