“I ask you to join Mary at the foot of her Son’s cross... Your mission is nothing but to stand there, and share in the sufferings of people to console them, and offer them the most beautiful loving smile.” (Rev. Thierry de Roucy - 1991)
The Gospel of St John tells us that Mary was “standing at the foot of the cross” (Jn 19,25).
This devotion has its roots in the 12th century. The title Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows focuses on Mary’s intense suffering during the passion and death of Christ. Venerated in the Western tradition as ‘Our Lady of the Seven Dolors," referring to the seven swords that pierced the Heart of Mary (Lc 2,35), she is invoked in the Eastern churches as Our Lady of Compassion.
Rev Thierry de Roucy has chosen Our Lady of Compassion as the patron saint of Heart’s Home since the beginning. In his homily for the sending-forth Mass which took place in France on September 15,1990, he proclaimed Our lady of Compassion as the patronal feast of Heart’s Home. Our Lady is a model of Compassion for all missionaries. They are sent to be a presence to those who are suffering or lonely, like Mary at the foot of the Cross.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Heart’s Home, a Shrine dedicated to Our lady of Compassion will be built at the International Center for a Culture of Compassion.
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