Monica Traynor, TOCarm.

It is St. John who tells us that Our Lady was present at the Crucifixion. (How she bore herself, what she said — if, indeed, she spoke at all, is not recorded. We are free, therefore, to meditate on what may have been her thoughts...

“My Son, my Son, hast Thou forsaken me?

Bone, blood and soul formed from out of me, Grew then in time with me to perfect Prime,

Now broken hangs, dishonoured and despised-

Long have I prepared for this, since aged Simeon spoke;

Often witnessed death, assisted those who died. But never, until this,

The leaden weight within my limbs,

The deep disturbance and dismay of soul I cherish now.

Fiat, I said, Fiat still I say;

This precious wound I bear,

I will not seek to cure,

So do not offer me relief.

But give me John,

And Peter and the rest,

And each and every one who sins,

Who by his sins disfigures you afresh,

That I may clothe all these my sons As I have clothed You.

My Son, my Son, depart from me,

Fulfil with me Your Father’s Will.’

Monica Traynor, TOCarm.