Blessed Be Our Mother of Sorrow

Catholics have always held a long standing devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. As adopted children of God, through the act of baptism, Mary becomes our mother in Heaven. It is through this relationship that Catholics feel a connection to her.

None can imagine the suffering Mary endured for her faith. She knew, from the very beginning, what her role in salvation would be. The child she bore, who suckled at her bosom, would ultimately be given up as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. For the forgiveness of the original sin, and all sins, even those not yet committed. All we need do is ask His forgiveness, repent, and promise to sin no more. God’s plan for salvation involves sacrifice. His for us, us for Him. Turn from wickedness, from selfishness, from our own vanity. Imitate Mary and the Apostles and all the saints who followed. For great is the reward in Heaven.

Some Catholics have a special Rosary dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Unlike the typical Rosary with 50 beads for each set of ten Hail Mary, and 5 beads for the Are Fathers, this has seven groups of seven beads. Each bead is for one Hail Mary. The groups represent the Seven Sorrows of Mary. These sorrows are found in scripture. Some will read scripture as part of the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrow.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary
1st Sorrow – The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
2nd Sorrow – The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
3rd Sorrow – The Loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50)
4th Sorrow – Meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary (John 19:17)
5th Sorrow – Witnessing the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
6th Sorrow – Receiving body of Jesus taken from the Cross (Luke 23:50-54)
7th Sorrow – The burial of Jesus in the tomb (Mark 15:40-47)

While this is all beautiful, like so many Catholics today, often I fall short in my devotion. I was much better when I was younger. And each year, I promise myself to do better. Just as I often forget to say Grace, especially when out in public or at a social gathering. I am a work in progress. Pray for me.

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This year Our Lady of Sorrow is celebrated on a Friday. This simple Shrimp Creole over Parslied Rice is amazingly delicious and firey hot. If heat is not your thing, skip the Scotch Bonnet, Cayenne Pepper and Louisiana Hot Sauce. We grew Scotch Bonnets in our garden this year, and I’ve been sticking them in everything. Wow – love it!

Spicy Tomato Shrimp Creole over Parslied Rice
Parslied Rice
2-1/2 cups Water
2-1/2 teaspoons Chicken Bouillon Granules
2 tablespoons Butter
1 tablespoon Parsley Flakes
1-1/2 cups White Rice

In a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, add water, chicken bouillon, parsley and butter. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts into the water. Stir to blend.

Add rice, cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat to maintain a steady simmer, let cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff rice just before serving.

Shrimp Creole
1 lb large Shrimp (13-15 count)
1 Bell Pepper, any color
1 small Red Pepper such as Scott Bonnet
1/2 Yellow Onion
2 Garlic Cloves
1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano, crushed
2 tablespoons Butter
Cayenne Pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon Salt-Free Creole Seasoning or to taste
1-1/2 cups Tomato Juice, divided
Dash Louisiana Hot Sauce or to taste
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
2 Green Onions

Peel and devein shrimp. Remove tails, set shrimp aside on ice until ready to cook.

Stem, core and dice peppers. Trim celery, thinly slice and set aside. Peel and dice onion, set aside. Peel and mince garlic. Crush oregano between fingers into a small cut, set aside.

In a skillet, melt butter. Add peppers, celery, onions and garlic. Season with crushed oregano, Cayenne Pepper and Creole Seasoning. Sauté vegetables until tender.

Add 1 cup tomatoes juice and Louisiana Hot Sauce to the skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining half-cup of tomato juice with the cornstarch until smooth.

Increase heat to medium. Add tomato slurry and shrimp to the skillet. Stir constantly, let cook until shrimp is ping ans the sauce has thickened.

To serve, mold 1 cup of rice in a small bowl. Invert rice in the center of a larger bowl. Repeat with remaining rice. Ladle Shrimp Creole around the rice. Snip green onions, garnish and serve.

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You are my inheritance, O Lord