The First Tear
“Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.”
When from the Cross Thy Son did pray
For those who cast His life away,
A tear fell from Thy sorrowing eye,
Compassion’s answer to His cry.
O Lady of Sorrows, hear our plea,
And teach us mercy’s mystery;
That we forgive as Christ forgave,
And captive hearts from bitterness save.
The Second Tear
“Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.”
When mercy opened Heaven’s door
To one who sinned and wept before,
A second tear was gently shed
For hope restored where all seemed dead.
O Lady of Sorrows, grant us grace
To seek God’s mercy and embrace;
That never, though we fall from sight,
May we despair of Heaven’s light.
The Third Tear
“Woman, this is your son.”
As from the Cross He gave to thee
The children of humanity,
A third tear fell for all mankind,
The weak, the lost, the lame, the blind.
O Lady of Sorrows, Mother dear,
Receive us still and keep us near;
And teach our hearts to live each day
In charity’s most perfect way.
The Fourth Tear
“My God, My God, why have you deserted Me?”
When darkness veiled the afternoon,
And grief eclipsed the noonday sun,
A fourth tear fell in silence deep
For all who mourn and all who weep.
O Lady of Sorrows, stay beside
Those wounded most by sorrow’s tide;
And when our prayers seem lost above,
Remind us still of God’s great love.
The Fifth Tear
“I am thirsty.”
When Christ declared His thirst aloud,
Beneath the Cross and gathering cloud,
A fifth tear traced Thy holy face
For souls who flee redeeming grace.
O Lady of Sorrows, help us see
The things for which our hearts should be;
That all our restless longings move
Towards truth and beauty, God and love.
The Sixth Tear
“It is accomplished.”
When all the work ordained above
Was sealed by sacrifice and love,
A sixth tear from Thine eyes was cast
As prophecy was fulfilled at last.
O Lady of Sorrows, teach us then
To persevere through loss and pain;
That faithful in our course we stay
Until our own appointed day.
The Seventh Tear
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
When Christ surrendered life and breath
And conquered by His Cross and death,
The seventh tear descended slow
Upon a world redeemed through woe.
O Lady of Sorrows, grant us trust
When earthly hopes return to dust;
That when our final hour draws near,
We too may rest untroubled there.
Seven tears fell beneath the Tree,
Yet seven stars of hope they be;
For through Thy grief there shines a light
To guide us through the darkest night.
O Mother standing by the Cross,
Companion in all grief and loss,
Pray that our hearts may faithful prove
In hope, forgiveness, trust, and love.
And when life’s final shadows close,
And earthly labour finds repose,
Lead us unto Thy Son above,
The source of everlasting love.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
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Featured Image:
Judgefloro, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bible Quotes
Jerusalem Bible
