Mary, mother of compassion and tenderness

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

During the month of October, the Blessed Virgin Mary is honored under the title Our Lady of the Rosary. We observed this Marian feast last week on October 7, and we asked Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, to help us to meditate on the mysteries of salvation as we invoke her holy name in contemplative prayer.

Do you know the saying of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother?” Surely this is true, and no mother reflects the heart of God more perfectly than Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The Immaculate Heart is also one of Mary’s many titles. This particular title, which is used to identify Mary’s patronage of our country, calls our attention to the compassion and tenderness that our Blessed Mother is especially known for.

“Compassion” is the ability to share in the suffering of others. Compassion is not superficial or sentimental, but a genuine connection with those who are in any kind of physical, mental or emotional pain. The Gospels frequently portray Jesus as being filled with compassion for people in need. His response to the pain of others was always one of sharing in their suffering and healing their ills.

“Tenderness” is one of Pope Francis’ favorite themes: “Do we have the courage to welcome with tenderness the difficulties and problems of those who are near to us?” the Holy Father asks. “Or do we prefer impersonal solutions, perhaps effective but devoid of the warmth of the Gospel? How much the world needs tenderness today! The patience of God, the closeness of God, the tenderness of God.”

Continue reading Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s latest newsletter.