SONG FOR HER SORROWS Feast of Our Lady's Dolours

    SONG FOR HER SORROWS      

   Feast of Our Lady's Dolours*

Tranquil temple days,

unbroken nights of prayer

these were yours, my Mother,

in the spring of your pure life;

Scripture study hours,

needlework and psaltery,

betrothal, Nazareth and peace.

                         Then came the little Seed

                          and suddenly the wings of sorrow

                          wrapped themselves around you, 

                          from Joseph's anguished cloud of doubt

                          until the tomb's white jaws

                          received your mangled Son in death;

                          these pinions covered you most jealously

                          making you witness of the Father's love

                          for renegades, this sea of men

                          bringing its blood-red tides

                          through you, our Mother

                          in the harvesting of time.

                     Sister M Josephine F SS S

                                     Cord. September 1961

*The seven dolours (or sorrows) of the Blessed Virgin were the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, three day's loss of Jesus, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, Mary at the foot of the cross, Jesus is taken down from the cross and the burial of Jesus.