The Curator’s Corner:

Basilica Artwork depicting Our Lady of Sorrows (Nuestra Señora de los Dolores) Part 2:

The Seven Sorrows are events in the Life of Our Blessed Mother, Mary.

The first sorrow, known as "The Prophecy of Simeon," found in chapter 2 of Luke's Gospel, is depicted in a carving over the main entrance doors leading out to Dolores Street.

Take a closer look at the balconies on either side of the Basilica. Six of Mary’s sorrows are depicted in the painted wood carvings on the front of these balconies.

On the balcony where our parish Basilica Choir sings (close to the 16th Street entrance), also the balcony above the stained glass window with Padre Junipero Serra, you will find the second, third, and fourth Sorrows. The second Sorrow is "The Flight into Egypt," found in chapter 2 of Matthew's Gospel.  The third Sorrow is "The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem," found in Luke's Gospel.  The fourth Sorrow is "Mary meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary", sometimes known as the "Via Dolorosa," which can also be found in Luke's Gospel.

On the opposite side of the Basilica, on the balcony above the stained glass window with Padre Francisco Palou,

you will find the fifth, sixth, and seventh Sorrows. The fifth Sorrow is "The Crucifixion of Jesus," found in all four Gospels: Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and especially John 19. The sixth Sorrow is Jesus's "Descent from the Cross," also found in all four Gospels. The seventh and final Sorrow is "The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea," likewise found in all four gospels.

These Seven Sorrows should not be confused with the five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. The Sorrowful Mysteries are: 1. The Agony in the Garden; 2. The Scourging at the Pillar; 3. The Crowning with Thorns; 4. The Carrying of the Cross; and 5. The Crucifixion and Death.

Next week, as we approach the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This corner will focus on the Patron Saint of our Mission and Parish. St. Francis is also Patron of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Our City and County are named in his honor. The Bay, the Peninsula, the North Bay, and the East Bay are all named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. And the first place named in honor of the poor man from Assisi is our Old Mission.

 To be continued…..