Pieta

Pieta, Nicolas Coustou, 1721-1728. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France.

Questions

-What do you notice about this version of the Pieta?

-Many know Michelangelo's sculpture of the Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica, how does this one differ?

-What current sorrow are you experiencing in your life that you can go to Our Lady and Our Lord with?

Reflection

Our Lady of Sorrows. A title that evokes a variety of feelings in me from worry, anxiety, relief, thankfulness, and everything in between. I often find myself either running away from sorrow and suffering or going full force into the arms of Our Lord to carry the cross with Him. I believe that this is a very real and normal response to suffering, especially on the journey of being Catholic and truly understanding our faith better.

My anxiety and worry comes from how uncomfortable sorrow and suffering can be. Pain is uncomfortable and not a place that we enjoy to stay in. When we encounter sorrow in others and within ourselves, the first response is usually how to get out of it as fast as possible. This is not always a bad thing, but it could be an opportunity lost. It is easy to forge that Mary and Jesus encountered a great deal of sorrow throughout their lives, not just at the crucifixion. Even though they were perfect in holiness and completely united with God, sorrow did not avoid them. If anything, they felt more sorrow because they were united with the perfect God and experienced the brokenness and heartache of this world. We cannot avoid sorrow and suffering because we as humans are so broken. It is truly a gift from the Lord that we can then find solace and meaning in the inescapable suffering that life brings. And where is this solace and meaning? The Lord's crucified heart and Mary's sword-pierced heart. They experienced great suffering and embraced how uncomfortable it was. They did not let it paralyze them or stop believing that God's will would be done. They continued in their mission and calling, patiently waiting for the Lord's plan to be revealed and for glory to come.

There is relief and thankfulness in knowing that Jesus and Mary underwent suffering. It brings great solace that we are not alone in this and we have a perfect model in which to look to when we are suffering and in sorrow. Our experience of sorrow does not hurt less because of what they experienced, but it can change our mindset in approaching it. If we make sorrow an opportunity to go to Christ and deepen our relationship with Him, we will become holier. Our holiness will not stop the bad things from happening but it will reveal how those bad things will bring purification. Sorrow and suffering is mysterious and difficult, but Mary and Jesus want to walk through it with us. It is a relief that we will never be alone in the midst of sorrow and that the Lord has great empathy and desire for us to be united with Him and eventually be healed of the sorrow. The sorrows of this world will not last and cannot exist in heaven. It is the steadfast patience of Our Lord and Our Lady that we must unite ourselves to in this life to experience true joy in the next.

Our Lady of Sorrows is a beautiful title of Mary to ask for help in the midst of our suffering. When Jesus died on the cross, she probably had many questions and deep suffering. No mother should have to experience their child dying and in the way that Jesus died was incredibly excruciating for her. This version of the Pieta is located in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Michelangelo's version in St. Peter's Basilica is very beautiful, but there is something that really attracts me to this sculpture. The thing that I notice first is how Mary's arms are wide open with her eyes lifted up to heaven. She is simultaneously offering her Son and accepting His death, while also asking and wondering why it had to happen this way. Mary trusted God and His plan, but this does not mean that she did not question and wonder how His will would be completed. We can live the same way in sorrow. We can trust while still ask for guidance and wonder why. It is when our questioning turns to blaming, anger, mistrust, loss of faith, and unbelief that our sorrow is no longer united with the Lord's and bringing us closer to Him.

Information

Nicolas Coustou, a French sculptor, created this piece of art along. His brother and cousin created the two statues that flank this one of Louis XIV and Louis XIII. He was influenced by Michelangelo and Algardi, both Italian sculptors who were known for great detail, emotion, and movement. These sculptures fortunately survived the French Revolution and the 2019 fire at Notre Dame. There is beautiful symbolism that the statue showing sorrow and struggle of Our Lady and Our Lord survived the fire that burned around it. It is like they are reminding us that in the midst of destruction we should look to them to follow and imitate. The path of sorrow will bring us to the foot of the cross, where Mary is holding her dead son.

This statue is behind the high altar, which holds another level of meaning. The altar is where the priest brings the gifts of the people to partake in the sacrifice of Christ. The priest consecrating the bread and wine looks up to heaven, offering up Jesus again with Mary. We go to Jesus through Mary whether it be at the nativity or the foot of the cross. Mary offers up her Son with open arms and allows the angels to look upon and look after the body of Christ. Jesus' body is twisted towards us - if it was in movement it could possibly roll towards us onto the altar. His body, blood, soul and divinity are placed on the altar and given to us as the most beautiful and perfect gift. There is a large golden cross behind the altar, reminding us of the perfection and salvation that the cross brings us.

Our Lady of Sorrows refers to a popular devotion in our faith, usually portraying her with seven swords piercing her heart which was foretold by the prophet Simeon. The Pieta is a combination of the fifth and sixth sorrows, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and Jesus' descent from the cross. This devotion is reflected by praying the Seven Sorrows rosary, wearing the black scapular, singing the Stabat Mater, and praying the novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. The stations of the cross are also a beautiful way to partake in united ourselves with the sorrows of Christ and Mary on the path to the crucifixion. Elizabeth of Hungary and Bridget of Sweden were two saints who were particularly drawn to the sorrowful Mother through devotion, visions, and proclamation of her promises.

The promises revealed to Elizabeth of Hungary for devotion to our sorrowful mother were:

1. "That those who invoke the divine mother by her sorrows, before death will merit to obtain true repentance of all their sins."

2. "That He will protect such in their tribulations, especially at the hour of death."

3. "That He will impress upon them the memory of his passion, and that they shall have their reward for it in heaven."

4. "That He will commit such devout servants to the hands of Mary, that she may dispose of them according to her pleasure, and obtain for them all the graces she desires.

   
   

The promises revealed to Bridget of Sweden for devotion to our sorrowful mother were:

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 I will accompany them in their work."

4. "I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls."

5. "I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives."

6. "I will visibly help them at the moment of their death — they will see the face of their mother."

7. "I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy."

The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is a reminder that sorrows will follow us in this life, but staying close to her and Jesus' heart will provide a refuge for the storm. In many ways she is a harbor for all the children of Christ - consoling, defending, helping, and bringing to salvation in her Son. The Pieta reminds us that we should not hold on to our sorrows but lift them up to the Lord. Treat what we receive in this life, whether good or bad, as gifts to give back to God. Our Lady shows us the way and she will assist us in letting go so that we may be consoled in her sorrowful heart.

More Questions

-What promise do you need to hear right now from Our Lady of Sorrows?

-How can you increase your devotion of Our Lady of Sorrows?

-What has prevented you in the past from embracing your sorrows and cross? How does Our Lady and Our Lord beckon you to release it to them?

Let us pray -

Lord, help me to accept the cross which you clung to for my salvation. This life brings many sorrows and sufferings, but also such beauty and wonder. Your goodness will not be overcome by the darkness. Your love will not be overtaken by indifference and hopelessness. Show us your mother's sorrowful heart and reassure us that in suffering and sorrow we will find you. Help us to accept all with an open hand and heart, that we may give it back to you freely. The wounds, vines, and sorrows in our heart can pierce us so deeply and hurt so much. Help me to experience freedom to share my suffering with you and to place it with you completely. Increase my devotion to your sorrowful mother that I may receive the gifts of the promises she offers.

Our Sorrowful Mother, pray for us!

Amen.