Gospel in Art: Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Great Rood of Westminster Cathedral, Carved in Bruges, Belgium, Painted by William Christian Symons, after a design by John Francis Bentley © Westminster Cathedral / Christian Art / Emmett Glynn

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 15 September 2025
Luke 2:33-35

At that time: The father and mother of Jesus marvelled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed - and a sword will pierce through your own soul also - so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'

Reflection on the Great Rood

The day after we celebrated the Feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Cross and Mary's sorrow are inseparably bound together; her suffering united to the suffering of her Son.

This title of 'Our Lady of Sorrows' given to Our Lady focuses on her intense suffering and mourning during the passion and death of her son. The title is not, however, limited to the suffering Mary shared in at the end of Jesus' life, but refers to all seven sorrows of Mary. These are:

The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)
The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)
The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)
Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)
Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)

In many ways, the Great Rood cross at Westminster Cathedral is the perfect image to contemplate across these two feasts: yesterday's Exaltation of the Holy Cross and today's feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. On the front we see Christ crucified, giving His life for the world; on the reverse, the image of Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, sharing in His suffering. The two sides of the cross remind us that the sacrifice of the Son and the sorrow of the Mother are inseparably bound together in the mystery of our salvation. The great Rood Cross towers over the interior of Westminster Cathedral. Rising thirty feet high and carved from wood in Bruges, Belgium, it was created to the design of John F. Bentley, painted by William Christian Symons.

May I invite you to watch this video which we did on the Great Cross, which explains all this in more detail: Click here to watch the video.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-2-33-35-2025/