For the Legionary, Our Lady of Sorrows is the model of cooperation in the Redemptive Work of Christ. The title “Our Lady of Sorrows” recalls the path of the Virgin, marked by suffering, from Christ’s birth in the poverty of Bethlehem to His death on the Cross and burial. She teaches the co-redemptive meaning of her life, uniquely united to the sacrifice of Christ. Only in this way can we understand the evangelist’s expression: “Standing by the Cross of Jesus was His mother Mary.” And thus is also understood the path of the Christian and the Legionary: to live close to and united with the Cross of Jesus.

The spirituality behind the Legionaries of Christ’s devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows refers to the original name of the Congregation. At first, it was called “Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of Our Lady of Sorrows.” Later, the name was changed to Legionaries of Christ, but the same spirituality remained. This spirituality is summed up in devotion to the Heart of Christ, understood as the center of the person, from which all the treasures of salvation and grace flow. And in devotion to what Christ’s Heart loves most: His Holy Mother and His Church. The image of Christ on the Cross and His Mother at the foot of the Cross is the icon that visibly expresses the spirituality of the Legionary. It is said that the Legionary has three loves: Christ and Mary as the first two, and the Church in third place.

The title “Our Lady of Sorrows” expresses a Gospel-based spirituality, “without gloss.” Strongly rooted in the theology of the Cross, it is at the same time the maternal factor that encourages the Legionary to imitate the virtues of the Mother, and inspires him to a fearless dedication to the mission under Mary’s maternal gaze.

Another practice that expresses devotion to the Virgin as Mother of the suffering Christ is the sequence of the Mass for this feast: the Latin hymn “Stabat Mater dolorosa.” This hymn is included in the Legion’s Prayer Manual and is sung every Friday, together with the noon Angelus. It is a very popular hymn, attributed to the Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi, 13th century. It describes in great detail the depth of the Virgin’s sorrow. It is a hymn especially suited for meditation on the Passion of Christ, seen and felt through the sorrow of the Mother.

The sorrowful Mother stood beside the Cross and wept, while her Son hung there.

Her grieving, tearful soul,
pierced and sorrowful,
felt the cruel sword.

Oh, how sad and afflicted
was the chosen Mother,
filled with so much torment.

As she sorrowfully gazed
and tearfully beheld
the suffering of her beloved Son.

And what man would not weep
if he saw the Mother of Christ
in such great pain?

And who would not be saddened,
O pious Mother, if he beheld you
subject to such harshness?

For the sins of the world
she saw Jesus in such
deep torment, the gentle Mother;

And as her beloved Son was dying,
abandoned, He yielded
His spirit to the Father.

O Mother, fountain of love,
make me feel your sorrow
so that I may weep with you.

And that for my beloved Christ,
my heart, set aflame,
may live more in Him than in myself.

And so that I may be moved to love Him,
imprint upon my heart
the wounds He bore in Himself.

And of your Son, O Lady,
share with me now
those He endured for me.

Let me weep with you,
truly share His pain
throughout my life.

For I long to accompany
on the Cross, where I behold Him,
your compassionate heart.

Virgin of virgins most holy,
let me weep with such longing
that my tears may be sweet.

That His Passion and death
may be engraved in my soul,
that I may always behold His pain.

Grant that His Cross may enflame me,
that in it I may live and dwell,
a sign of my faith and love.

So that I may burn and be enkindled,
and with you be defended
on the day of judgment.

Grant that the death of Christ
may protect me when in such trial
my life and soul shall part.

And when the body rests in peace,
may my soul go forth
to eternal glory. Amen.

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