V. Adoramus te Christe et benedicimus tibi (We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee)
R. Quia per Crucem tuam redemisti mundum (For by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.)
An encounter of great depth… The Mother sees her suffering Son.
She had said “yes” to the Father’s will and understood that her Son was the Saviour of the world. Now she sees Him walking this path of humiliation in order to exalt us men, just as the old man Simeon had foretold:
“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against and a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Lk 2:34-35).
But even in the midst of her pain, Mary’s gaze remains fixed on the Father, knowing that this suffering contributes to the redemption of humanity. Thus, even in this painful hour, she pronounces her “fiat” to the Father’s will.
For Jesus, the sight of His mother is both painful and consoling. What son would not want to spare his mother such suffering? But her presence is also a comfort to Him: in her, Jesus sees a faithful soul who accompanies Him to death, who remains with Him until the end.
Jesus knows that she pronounces her ‘yes’ to the will of the Father together with Him in that difficult hour. Thus, on this Way of the Cross, the one becomes for the other comfort and strength, united in love for God, our Father, and in love for mankind.
As we follow Her Son, the Virgin Mary will accompany us and be our consolation and our strength. She will also remain with the Church until the end of her Way of the Cross and will be present at her resurrection.
Prayer: “Lord, graciously grant us salvation and peace, that your Church, having overcome all obstacles and errors, may serve you in full freedom, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit and is God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be