The Sixth Sorrow: the Deposition
My child, shed tears for one who has died, and as one in great sorrow, begin the lament. Let your weeping be bitter and your wailing passionate; make your mourning worthy of the departed.” (Sirach 38:16-17).
Meditation: Prayer amid pain
In the Sixth Sorrow, the faithful reflect on the devastating sword of grief that pierced the Virgin’s heart when the soldier thrust his lance into the side of Jesus and his body was removed from the cross.
Traditionally, this episode is known as the ‘Deposition of Christ’ or the ‘Descent from the Cross’. It gave rise to the artistic tradition of the Pieta, after the famous marble sculpture by Michelangelo of the Virgin cradling her Son’s dead body.
In this gilded sculpture by Archibald Dawson (c. 1930s, St Anne’s, Dennistoun), notice the stylised dove motif in the top left as Mary holds her crucified Son. This symbolises the Holy Spirit, who was there even on that most darkest of days.
Speaking of the death of Christ, Zechariah had foretold: “I will pour out a Spirit of grace and supplication on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that they will look on me, the one whom they have pierced, and mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they will grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn.” (12:10; cf John 19:36,37)
Amid the great mourning over the pierced Messiah, the Spirit of grace was present, inspiring the Virgin and the other faithful disciples to speak to God from the heart. As the Book of Sirach outlined above, the death of a loved one is a time of lamentation – for mourners to lift their hearts and hands to God in prayer.
The Deposition of Christ brings us full circle to Simeon’s prophecy. It was the Holy Spirit who had moved him to speak of the sword that would one day pierce Our Lady’s soul (Luke 2:25-27). And now, that same Spirit was present as that painful prophecy was fulfilled.
Prayer:
O Sorrowful Mother, through the deep anguish you suffered as your Son was lowered from the cross, obtain for me a prayerful heart amid adversity, and a happy departure from this life, under your maternal care and powerful protection. Amen.
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