This is a day of solemn remembrance: Mary watched her Son die on the cross.
I confess that I haven’t had to witness death in person; I’ve led a sheltered life. I can’t imagine what it’s like to see your child’s death, someone you’ve dedicated your entire life to.
The image above is Pietà, sculpted by Michelangelo and housed at St Peter’s in the Vatican. I saw it in person about 47 years ago, and it still strikes me to my core today.
It’s the very definition of beauty. And of piety, which is what the name means.
The piety of Mary, yes, but that’s also the effect it has on me. It brings me to piety. The true purpose of my life.