Ecce Mater

'Mater Dolorosa', copy after Simon Marmion, last quarter of the 15th century, Groeningemuseum, Bruges

September is the month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

‘The Queen of Virgins is the Queen of Martyrs too, but it was within her heart that the sword transpierced her, for with her everything took place within her soul. Oh, how beautiful she is in a majesty both strong and sweet, for she has learned from the Word himself how they should suffer who are chosen as victims by the Father; those whom he has elected as associates in the great work of redemption; “those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be made conformable to his Son”, crucified by love. She is there at the foot of the Cross, standing in her strength and courage, and my Master says to me, “Ecce Mater tua”. He gives her for my Mother! And now that he has returned to the Father, he has put me in his place on the Cross, so that I may “fill up those things that are wanting in the sufferings of Christ for his Body which is the Church”. Mary is there still, to teach me to suffer as he did, to tell me, to make me hear those last outpouring of his soul, which only his Mother could catch’. 

St Elizabeth of the Trinity, 1880-1906