Our Participation in Christ's Sacrifice

September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. The Blessed Virgin Mary, like Our Lord, was not immune from the sorrows that are part of this fallen world. In her participation in the redemptive suffering of Christ's sacrifice, she was fully united with Him in His passion and death. In this excerpt from the Catechism, we learn that we are all called to participate in Christ's passion and in a mystery of faith contribute to His holy sacrifice.

618   The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow (him)", for "Christ also suffered for (us), leaving (us) an example so that (we) should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.

Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

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