Your Sorrow Is My Sorrow by Sister Joyce Rupp, OSM

Book Review

YOUR SORROW IS MY SORROW

Hope and Strength in Times of Suffering

By Sister Joyce Rupp, OSM

You do not have to be familiar with the Seven Sorrows of Mary (Our Lady of Sorrows) to read this book.  I believe that anyone who reads this will find something they can relate to and find comfort in knowing that we are not alone.

About the Author:

Sister Joyce Rupp, OSM is well-known for her work as a writer, a spiritual "midwife," and a retreat and conference speaker.  She has led retreats throughout North America, as well as Europe, Asia, and Africa.  She has written numerous bestselling books, including Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self.  She is a member of the Servite (Servants of Mary) community and the co-director of the Institute of Compassionate Presence. She resides in Des Moines, Iowa.  Her Web site is www.joycerupp.com

Book Summary:

This book is a beautiful reflection on The Seven Sorrows of our Blessed Mother.  With each chapter, with each sorrow, Sister Rupp calls you to relate your life sorrows and struggles with those of Mary.  Each sorrow begins with a reflection/insight to what our Blessed Mother’s thoughts may have been at that moment.  The chapter continues with how we can draw on her sorrow for our strength in challenging times.  The chapter ends with poems/prayers, meditations, guided imagery and questions for personal reflection or group discussion.  By reading and reflecting on the sorrows of Mary, the author reassures the reader that if we place our trust in God, like Mary, we will never be alone. 

Sharing my thoughts:

I truly enjoyed how Sister Rupp began her chapters with “Mary Speaks”, an insight to what our Blessed Mother’s thoughts may have been as she endured each sorrow.  But how was this going to relate to what is happening in my life today?  Her sorrows were so great in comparison to mine that seem so small.

As I continued to read, I realized that although Mary’s sorrows were unimaginable to me, sorrow is sorrow.  Everyone’s situation is unique and yet the same.  Pain is pain, suffering is suffering.  Today, each of us is dealing with a situation that we could have never imagined.  A pandemic, that has caused so many people sorrow, pain and uncertainty.

Whether our sorrow comes from being infected with this virus, knowing a friend or loved who has it or just from the isolation of being quarantined, we are all dealing with something.

Reading this book gave me comfort.  Sister Rupp wrote how the struggles of everyday people in today’s world can draw on Mary’s faith and strength to get them through their own sorrow.  I found comfort in the poems/prayers that she has after each sorrow.  I found comfort in the “Guided Imagery” which placed me in the presence of a mother’s love, our Blessed Mother’s love and understanding.  The “Personal Reflection” allowed me the moment I needed to absorb every sorrow I had just read.

Sometimes when we read a story related to people in the bible or saints we might tend to put them far above us, on pedestals.  We should remember that they were just like you and me, ordinary.  Mary was far from ordinary and yet she was like us.  Human, with questions, but above all she was a woman of faith and trusted in God.  Trusted enough to say ‘yes’ to whatever God asked of her, true faith.

I believe this book relays that faith and trust that Mary had to us as an example that no matter what, our faith and trust in God will see us through our pain and sorrow to the other side.  In our Blessed Mother’s case, the other side is the resurrection of our Lord….her son. 

To my parish family, whom I miss – My hope for you should you choose to read this book, is that no matter what sorrow, struggle or challenge you may be facing, you can look to our Blessed Mother for inner strength and hope.  I pray that you find a sense of peace in knowing that we are all in this together, we are not alone.

Take care my friends, be safe and stay healthy.

With love and blessings,

    

Gloria Wheeler 

(Glory Bee)