"A sword will pierce your own heart, too," Simeon told Mary after he had prophesized trouble for her baby Jesus. His prophesy was the first of the Seven Sorrows, traditionally represented as seven swords into Mary's heart. From the lower right corner, they are Simeon's prophecy, the Flight into Egypt, Losing Jesus in Jerusalem for three days (in the Temple), the Via Dolorosa, The Crucifixion, Jesus Taken Down from the Cross, and the Burial of Jesus.

When Mary is called Our Lady of Sorrows, these are the sorrows referred to. Meditating on them lets us draw closer to Mary, understanding her thoughts and feelings, and thus draw closer to her Son.

This delicate and beautiful Renaissance miniature was painted by Simon Bening, a Flemish painter, about 1525. We have made some minor restorations.

- 8.5 x 11" or 11x14" acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

** IMPORTANT ** There is about an inch-and-a-third to two inches of white space around the picture, depending on the size, so the image is smaller than the paper.

Thanks for your interest!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - Classic Catholic Art.