The Queen of Martyrs
If her body was not wounded by the executioner's hand, yet her blessed heart was pierced by the sorrow of her Son's passion — a sorrow that was enough to give her not one but a thousand deaths. And from this we shall see that Mary was not only a true Martyr, but that her martyrdom surpassed all other martyrdoms, since it was a longer martyrdom, and, so to speak, her whole life was one long death.
Contemplate with Mary
So great a love of Mary deserves gratitude from us, and let our gratitude at least be to meditate on and compassionate her Sorrows.
Pray with the saints
AH my blessed Mother, not one sword only then, but as many swords as have been my sins have I added to your Heart. Ah Lady, no — not to you, who are innocent, but to me, guilty of so many crimes, are the punishments due. But since you have willed to suffer so much for me, ah, by your merits obtain for me a great sorrow for my sins, and patience in bearing the troubles of this life, which will always be light compared with what I deserve, since so many times I have deserved Hell. Amen.
St. Alphonsus de Liguori · The Glories of Mary · The First Sorrow, prayerLet love become an act
Pray the traditional Seven Sorrows devotion, meditating on Mary’s sorrows and the Passion of Jesus.
Pray the Seven SorrowsKeep the celebration
- September 15, 2026Memorial
- September 15, 2027Memorial
- September 15, 2028Memorial
Dates shown follow the United States Roman Calendar for 2026–2028. A celebration can be transferred, omitted, or observed with a different rank because of precedence. Open the day for its principal liturgy and permitted choices.