Our Lady of Sorrows represents Mary's deep suffering alongside Christ, especially during his Passion. Her feast is a major Catholic celebration and a national holiday in Slovakia, where she is honored as the country's Patroness.

When is Our Lady of Sorrows?

Our Lady of Sorrows in Slovakia is celebrated every year on September 15.

The following is the list of Our Lady of Sorrows from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Our Lady of Sorrows?

The devotion to Mary's sorrows dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 13th century, the Servite Order (Servants of Mary) especially promoted meditation on the sufferings of the Virgin Mary, focusing on the Seven Sorrows connected to Christ's Passion and her life as his mother.

The devotion spread widely in Europe, as Christians reflected on Mary not just as the Mother of Joy but also as the Mother of Sorrows, sharing in Christ's suffering.

Pope Pius VII (1817) extended the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows to the universal Church as an act of thanksgiving for his release from captivity under Napoleon.

The feast is celebrated on September 15, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, highlighting Mary's close participation in Christ's suffering on Calvary. Traditional images depict Mary with a heart pierced by seven swords, symbolizing her Seven Sorrows.

In 1927, Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady of Sorrows the Patroness of Slovakia. Her feast on September 15 became a public holiday in Slovakia, with the largest annual pilgrimage held at Šaštín Basilica, the national Marian shrine. Slovak Catholics view her as a powerful intercessor who understands human suffering and offers comfort.

Today, devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows remains strong worldwide, especially in Slovakia, Latin America, and among the Servite communities.