Homily: Sept 15 2016 - Our Lady of Sorrows - Mother of they Dying

In times of great sadness, suffering, and loneliness, we think of our mothers. No doubt, it brought such great consolation to Jesus, as he hung upon the cross, that his mother was with him, even though it brought her great pain to do so.

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,

All his bitter anguish bearing,

Now at length the sword had passed.

Mary, we know, looks upon all of us as her sons and daughters. For from the cross, as we read in the Gospel today, Our Lord gave to her all of his disciples throughout all the ages to be her spiritual children. She has such great compassion for us all, and comes to the aid of her children.

Mary comes especially to the aid of the dying, in the final moments when salvation may be won or lost. We read numberless instances in the lives of saints and devout souls in which Mary appeared to them and aided them on their deathbed. The rooms of the dying are Our Lady's special sphere of activity, for those who are in their last agony are her beloved children. Mary draws close to the dying, helping them prepare for eternity.

In Dante’s Purgatorio, one soul explains how because of his wicked life he had become destined for hell, but in his last breath he was inspired to speak the name of Mary, and this was enough to save his soul.

Sharing our Mother’s compassion for the dying, we should pray every day for those in the hour of death, for faithful souls as well as impenitent souls. For we know that deathbed conversions are possible. Mary helps unrepentant souls reach final contrition.

Whenever I visit the dying, I always encourage their family members to pray the rosary with them. For no doubt, as they lay dying, the prayers of our childhood, are so comforting and also so powerful because it helps them to know the closeness of Mary, Mother of the Dying.

Those who die with her as their mother, die as faithful disciples of Christ, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. May we show true compassion to all the afflicted, and know Mary’s closeness as we carry our crosses for the glory of God and salvation of souls.