FIFTH DOLOUR

FIFTH DOLOUR

Her hands, long and strong,

in whitened grip of agony

stare,

more anguish screams

From ghastly knuckles

locking in the tides of pain

than from any salty tears

her lashes veil.

Her head, upraised, regal

in prayerful resignation

proclaims

the dignity of priestly lineage[1]

which offers sacrifice

of purest white,

as Mary clutches to her heart

the torturous exchange

of Son for sons.[2]

Sister M Lalemant CSJ

Commonweal.  23 February 1962

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[1]According to tradition, Mary and her parents Anna and Joachim descended from the House of David, king and priest, as did St Joseph, her spouse (Luke I:27).

[2] This is a reference to the Catholic teaching that when Jesus gave Mary and the apostle John to one another as mother and son as He hung dying on the Cross (John XIX:26-27), He simultaneously gave His mother to the entire human race as its mother and all people to her as her children.