The Via Matris - a tribute to the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

Devotion to the Mother of Sorrows is as old as the Cross. From the throne of the Cross, the Savior focused the world's attention on His Mother: "Behold Thy Mother!" The Via Crucis and the Via Matris are closely associated. Christ prophesied: "And, if I be lifted up will draw all unto myself." His Mother, standing at the foot of the Cross also draws all unto herself. 

To each devotion, the Way of the Cross and the Way of the Mother, the Church equally applies a plenary indulgence. No argument as to which is greater or more fruitful. Both center on the same subject, but one as seen through the eyes of His Mother. God-inspired Simeon in the temple prophesied about the Child Jesus and laid the direct biblical foundation for the Via Matris, encouraging Christians to contemplate Mary in her sorrows. "And Simeon blessed them and said to May His Mother: 'Behold, this child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'" 

The Via Matris, depicting the seven main sorrows of Mary is set up in churches and chapels that Christians may mediate, be inspired, and be encouraged while dwelling on Mary's sword-pierced heart.The Franciscans initiated the Way of the Cross, and the Servants of Mary (Servites), founded like the Franciscans in the 13th century, brought the Way of the Mother in its present form before the public. Although the devotion was practiced for centuries in Servite churches, it was not until 1937 when the Sorrowful Mother Novena was established that the devotion became popular across the world.

Jesus Christ Himself revealed to Blessed Veronica of Binasco,  that, He is more pleased in seeing His Mother compassionated than Himself.” He said to her: ‘My daughter, tears shed for My Passion are  dear to Me; but as I loved My Mother Mary with an immense love, the  meditation on the torments which She endured at My death is even 

more agreeable to Me.’ “Wherefore the graces promised by Jesus to those who are devoted  to the dolors of Mary are very great.”

Our Lady lamented to St. Bridget that very few consoled Her by  meditating on Her Sorrows, and “that the greater part of the world  lived in forgetfulness of them: ‘I look around at all who are on earth,  to see if by chance there are any who pity Me, and meditate upon My  Sorrows; and I find that there are very few. Therefore, My daughter, 

though I am forgotten by many, at least do you not forget Me; consider  My anguish, and imitate, as far as you can, My grief.’” For this purpose the Blessed Virgin Herself appeared in the year 1239 to the founder of the Order of the Servites, or servants of Mary,  to ask them to institute a religious order in remembrance of Her sorrows.

At Fatima, in 1916, the Angel of Peace appeared to the three child  seers Lucy, Francisco and Jacinta, and after encouraging them to pray  and teaching them a prayer of adoration, said “ ...The Hearts of Jesus  and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications.”

On June 13, 1917, Our Lady, after informing that, “Jesus  wishes to make use of you in order to make Me known and loved”,  Our Lady then said: “He wants to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart...”

Our Lady’s Sorrows are commemorated twice a year on the  liturgical calendar, September 15, and the Friday before Palm Sunday.  Commemorating the Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary twice a year on the Roman Liturgical Calendar demonstrates how important this  devotion is to Heaven.

A digital booklet of the Via Matris devotional can be downloaded here:

http://www.mediafire.com/download/adojfj6w14f7of2/THE_VIA_MATRIS_WAY_OF_THE_SORROWFUL_MOTHER.pdf