“And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."
(Luke 2:34-35. Douay-Rheims Bible.)
On September 15, the Church honors the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Hearing the prophecy of Simeon
Fleeing into Egypt
Losing the Holy Child at Jerusalem
Meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary
Standing at the foot of the Cross
Seeing Jesus taken down from the Cross
Witnessing the burial of Christ
According to Mary Gardener John S. Stokes, the Blue Flag iris or iris versicolor symbolizes Our Lady’s Sorrows because of Simeon’s prophecy that a sword would pierce her soul. The iris has sword-like foliage and is also known as the Sword Lily.
Image: Photograph of iris versicolor, from Wikimedia Commons. Some rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment