Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, exemplified true love, as expressed in 1 Corinthians 13. "Love is patient" (1 Cor 13:4) can be translated: "Love suffers a long time." Mary, suffering her seven major sorrows, certainly suffered a long time. "Love is kind" (1 Cor 13:4) can mean: "Love bears others' burdens." As our adoptive mother, Mary has borne so many of our burdens. Mary Immaculate was not jealous (see 1 Cor 13:4). Mary, humble handmaid of the Lord, was not proud (see 1 Cor 13:4). "Love is never rude" (1 Cor 13:5) can mean: "Love is not out of place." Mary was in her place whether it was in a stable, in the kitchen, at the foot of the cross, or exalted in heaven as the queen of heaven.

Mary was not self-seeking. She said: "Do whatever He [Jesus] tells you" (Jn 2:5). Mary was not provoked to anger, nor did she keep an account of injuries (see 1 Cor 13:5), for she is the Mother of Forgiveness, as Pope John Paul II named her during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000. Mary even forgave each of us for our part in her Son's execution due to our sins. Mary does not "rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth" (1 Cor 13:6). Mary, traditionally called "Mother of Good Hope," has hope for us, her children. We need not be doomed, if we but repent and love according to God's word. Let us follow the example of Mary and so many other living and triumphant saints and conquer the world by true love.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, January 16, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 26, 2004