Nuestra Senora de los Dolores ( Our Lady of Sorrows)

Nuestra Senora de los Dolores
Our Lady of Sorrows
created in 2001
28"x15"x14"
photo taken by E. G. Schempf
mixed media, hand sewn and beaded leather figure

Nuestra Senora de los Dolores
Our Lady of Sorrows
Feast Day: 15 September

Our Lady of Sorrows represents the Blessed Virgin Mary mourning the suffering and crucifixion of Christ. She is usually shown with a dagger in her heart, symbolizing the piercing of her heart with sorrow. This image is based upon the Gospel verse: "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also," (Luke,ii,35). Sometimes she is depicted with seven swords piercing her breast denoting her seven sorrows. The first sorrow refers to the prophecy of Simeon. The other six sorrows refer to her suffering during Christ's life: the flight into Egypt, loss of the divine child in Jerusalem, meeting with her Son bearing the cross, the Crucifixion, receiving the body of her Son from the cross, and placing his body in the tomb. Other attributes traditionally associated with this depiction are the cross, nails, crown of thorns, lance, sponge, column, chalice, and washbasin. Our Lady is usually portrayed in a grieving attitude, head covered, usually with hands clasped and tears streaming down her face.

In my interpretation, the holy shroud is draped and the sacred heart is hung on the cross. Our Lady is holding the nails from the cross. Painted on the sides of the shrine are novenas in honor of the seven sorrows of Mary.