# The Sixth Sorrow: Mary Receives the Body of Christ
*2015-06-03*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of Blessed Angelina of Marsciano and meditates on the sixth sorrow of the Blessed Virgin—receiving the lifeless body of her Son—through Scripture, prayer, and the Rosary.

## Feast of Blessed Angelina of Marsciano

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today, June 4th, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Angelina of Marsciano. A 14th‑century Franciscan sister, she founded the first community of Franciscan nuns outside the original convent at St. Clair. Before that, she endured false accusations and even presented hot coals to the King of Naples to prove her innocence. For more about her life, you can visit the Franciscan Media website.

## The Sixth Sorrow of Our Lady

We now turn to the chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, focusing on the sixth sorrow: Mary receiving the lifeless body of her Son. This sorrow invites us to enter into the deep pain of a mother who holds the dead body of her beloved child.

## Scripture Reading – John 19:38‑40

“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though secretly because he feared the Jews, asked Pilate for permission to take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him leave. So Joseph came and took the body away. Nicodemus also, who had first come to Jesus at night, brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds in weight. He took the body, wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to Jewish burial customs.”

## Prayer of Sorrow

Lord, I offer this chaplet of the Sorrows for the greatest sorrow and the greatest glory of your holy Mother. Help me to meditate on her suffering and to share in her grief. Grant me, and all sinners, perfect sorrow for our sins, that we may be truly contrite and turn to your mercy.

I am heartily sorry for all my sins, for I have offended you, the source of all good. By the help of your grace, I resolve never to offend you again. Amen.

## Our Father and the Rosary

We prayed the Our Father together, then recited seven Hail Marys, each echoing the words of the traditional Rosary: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.”

These prayers lead us into the mystery of Mary's sorrow and draw us closer to the heart of Christ.

## Closing Hymn and Reflection

We concluded with a simple hymn to Our Lady, asking her to cast her tender eyes upon us and to guide us toward the joy of eternal life. May the sorrow of Mary, who bore the weight of the Cross, inspire us to embrace our own crosses with hope and trust in God’s love.

*In sharing Mary’s sixth sorrow, we learn to accompany Christ in his Passion and to find hope in the promise of resurrection.*