Regarding the recent priest scandal one of our Sisters was inspired to write this poem and chalk this image of Our Lady - Sorrowful Mother of Priests. May this inspire each of us to seek to offer our lives with and for our priests. They need our prayers and sacrifices! And our world needs them!

MATER DOLOROSA SACERDOTUM

(Sorrowful Mother of Priests)

At this Cross my station keeping, I shed mother’s teardrops, weeping for my fallen, wayward son.

Ramah sounds anew with moaning – What revives the ancient groaning, Rachel’s grief again begun?

Way abandoned, crossed beams broken, crown discarded, all the tokens of unfinished holocaust.

Hear my bitter lamentation: What can be my consolation? Ah, my son! My son is lost!

Tenderly now let me gather in my arms what sin has scattered, for to safeguard faithfully.

Pierced with thorns, my hands now shed crimson tears in his blood’s stead; may their prayer beg grace from Thee!

Father, make my heart the altar where his flame burns, lest it falter, left forgotten by its priest.

Him who cannot himself offer on my paten I now proffer for Thy sacrificial feast.

As I lift up contrite heart, let my spirit take his part in a humble offering.

In my tears find his contrition, in my prayer his heart’s petition, as my voice Thy mercy sings.

Never shall I cease to raise heart and eyes – in grief or praise – to the Savior of our ways.

“Comfort, daughter,” says the Lord, “Mourning love I shall reward: thou shalt see thy son restored.”