The month of September is dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This devotion recalls the Blessed Virgin Mary’s spiritual martyrdom in virtue of her perfect union with the Passion of Christ. This was her role in salvation history, and what merited her place as the spiritual Mother of all Christians. This is symbolized by a single sword, or seven swords, piercing Mary's suffering heart, as foretold in Simeon's prophecy.

In 1233, seven young men founded the Servite Order (Order of the Servants of Mary).  They sought to spread devotion to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The devotion became especially popular during World War II when so many mothers lost their sons to war.  According to tradition, those who recite the Hail Mary while meditating on the Seven Sorrows will receive seven graces.

The Seven Sorrows are:

1.       The Prophecy of Simeon
2.       The Flight into Egypt
3.       The Loss of the Child in the Temple
4.       Meeting of Mother and Son on the way to Calvary
5.       The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
6.       Taking Down the Body of Jesus from the Cross
7.       The Burial of Jesus

The Seven Graces promised are:

1.       I will grant peace to their families.
2.       They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3.       I will console them in their pains and accompany them in their work.
4.       I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not contradict the will of my Son or harm the sanctification of their souls.
5.       I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the enemy and I will protect them at every instant.
6.       I will visibly help them at the hour of their death; they will see the face of their mother.
7.       Those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness.

At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to her Son to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.

O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One.

Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother's pain untold?

For the sins of His own nation,
She saw Jesus wracked with torment,
All with scourges rent:

She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified:

Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live:

By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine;

Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away;

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
be Thy Mother my defense,
be Thy Cross my victory;

While my body here decays,
may my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.

– Translation by Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica (1849)

An Environmentally Sustainable Lifestyle:

We pray that we all will make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people who are resolutely committed to this.

September was the seventh month of the Roman calendar, but is the ninth according to our reckoning.  The Anglo-Saxons called it “gerst-monath,” “Barley month.”

September 21: St. Matthew
September 29: St. Michael or Michaelmas Day

Mottos:

Fair on September first; fair for the month.

Plant trees at Michaelmas and command them to grow
Set them at Candlemas and entreat them to grow.

September blows soft, 
Till the fruits in the loft.

St. Matthew brings cold dew.

September dries up wells, or breaks down bridges.