As a young mother, she stands at the temple of her Lord,

Holding in her arms, the babe born in a manger,

Hearing the prophecy of Simeon, that a sword of grief will pierce her heart.

Dearest Mary, please help us to feel true sorrow for our sins.

The night sky was clear and cold, when Joseph awoke from his dream,

Holding in her arms, the babe the wise men had just honored,

They flew on the wings of safety, leaving Judea for a foreign land.

Dearest Mary, please help us remember that Jesus is always with us.

Absent in the swirls of dust and noise from the journey back from the Passover,

Holding in her arms, the fears for her son lost somewhere in the midst of Jerusalem,

Finding Him after three days of anxious searching, sitting in the temple with the scholars.

Dearest Mary, please help us find our way back to Jesus after we sin.

Looking into the solemn eyes of her Son, amid the jeers and taunts of the angry mob,

Holding in her arms, the love that poured from her eyes as He carried His heavy cross,

Knowing in her heart that this was the path her Son must travel.

Dearest Mary, help us to carry whatever crosses God wills that we carry.

Standing at the foot of the cross, watching as her Son’s earthly anguish is finished,

Holding in her arms, the memories of the Son who had shown all the depth of His love,

Turning to John, the beloved disciple, at Jesus’s request, she became His mother.

Dearest Mary, please teach us how to live our lives for others.

Begging Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea requests consent to remove Jesus from the cross,

Holding in her arms, the bloody, battered body of her Son wrapped in the finest linen,

Red rain falls, as her tsunami tears mingle with the blood from His many wounds.

Dearest Mary, help us to remember the anguish of Jesus’ passion before we sin.

Watching as they roll the smooth heavy stone barrier over the entrance to the tomb,

Holding in her arms, the sight of her Son’s lifeless body as it disappears behind the stone,

Her heart torn with grief, flies into the tomb and rests softly on top of His lifeless form.

Dearest Mary, please help us to turn away from the savage death that sin brings.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a precious gift to us,

Holding in her arms, the hopes and dreams of all her children,

She looks down with love on all those with Rosaries and chaplets held in prayer.

Dearest Mary, please give us the courage to take your hand,

   as you gently guide us to the feet of your Son, Jesus Christ.
                                                                                              Jacqueline Newport