Nossa Senhora das Lagrimas (Our Lady of the Tears)
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Summary
On March 8th, 1930, the Virgin appeared to a religious from the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of Jesus Crucified, Amalia Aguirre of the Savior Scourged: " I was in the chapel when I suddenly felt that I was lifting up. I saw a lady of indescribable beauty approach me."
She was dressed in a purple dress, a blue cloak and a white veil that covered even the chest. The Most Holy Virgin, would display a rosary with her tears, for converting sinners. Devotion to this Rosary, was approved by Bishop Francisco Campos Barreto, Bishop of Campinas, who not only allowed the recognition of the events, but he did his utmost to spread everywhere the commemorative medal of Our Lady of Tears, the source of many conversions and graces.
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Timeline
Dec 8, 1927 |
On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Sister Amalia Aguirre of the Savior Scourged made her temporary vows and received her habit. |
Fall 1929 |
One of Sister Amalia's male relatives called on her at the convent. He was in great need. His wife was seriously ill, and he was -- understandably and sadly -- greatly distressed. He relayed to sister, that according to the diagnosis of several doctors, his spouse's affliction was incurable, and he did not know what to do or what God expected of him. She was his last hope.
Grief-stricken and teary-eyed, her relation cried despairingly aloud, "What will happen with the children?"
Sister Amalia's heart also grieved at the sight of her relative's sorrow, and the hardship facing both him and his dependent offspring. Her innate inclinations compelled her to desire to help in any way possible, so while this tale of woe was being told, she turned interiorly towards our Divine Savior in deep reflection and prayer, seeking intently what she could offer or do.
Simultaneously listening and soul-searching, Sister Amalia felt an inner impulse urging her to visit Jesus in church. When their meeting had ended, she faithfully and swiftly responded to this calling. |
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Monsignor Count Franciscus von Campos Barreto, Bishop of the Diocese of Campinas, established the Institute with Sister Amalia's help as a cofoundress. Sister was also one of the first eight women to dedicate their lives to the service of God there. |
Nov 8, 1929 |
Upon entering the house of God, Sister Amalia reverently genuflected and proceeded to the steps just before the altar. Here she knelt down and extended her arms towards Jesus in the tabernacle. (By her own account and example, we see Sister Amalia as a highly-perfected soul, with the sweet and tender grace of recognizing -- and responding to -- the Divine Presence of our Lord and Savior in the Most Blessed Sacrament.)
In this devout disposition and posture -- humbly submissive to our Eucharistic King -- she spoke to Jesus, "If there is no hope for the wife of T. . ., then I am ready to offer my life for the mother of the family. What do you want me to do?"
Jesus answered,
"If you want to receive these favors, ask me for the sake of My Mother's tears."
Sister Amalia asked further, "How must I pray?"
In answering, Jesus gave her the following invocations:
"Oh Jesus, listen to our prayers for the sake of the tears of Your most holy Mother!
Oh Jesus, look upon the tears of the one who loved You most on earth and loves You most ardently in heaven!"
Finally, Jesus added,
"My daughter, whatever people will beg Me for the sake of the tears of My Mother, I shall lovingly grant them.
Later, My Mother will hand over this treasure to our beloved Institute as a Magnet of mercy." |
| March 8, 1930 |
The following are Sister Amalia's own recollections of what took place:
"It was March 8, 1930. I was in the chapel kneeling on the steps of the altar, as I suddenly felt myself being lifted up.
Then I saw a woman of unspeakable beauty approaching me. She wore a violet robe, blue mantle, and a white veil draped over her shoulders. Smiling, she floated in the air towards me, holding a rosary in her hands, which she herself called "corona" [i.e. circle and means rosary]. Its beads shined like the sun and were as white as snow. Handing me this rosary she said to me,
'This is the rosary of my tears, which is being entrusted by my Son to His beloved Institute as a portion of His inheritance.
The invocations were already given by my Son.
My Son wants to honor me in a special way through these invocations, and so, He will grant all graces that are begged for the sake of my tears.
This rosary will provide for the conversion of many sinners, especially those possessed by the devil.
To the Institute of the Crucified Jesus is reserved a special honor, that is the conversion of many members of a wicked sect to the blooming tree of the Church.
Through this rosary the devil will be conquered and the power of hell will be destroyed.
Get ready for this great battle.'
When our Blessed Mother Mary had finished speaking, she disappeared." |
Dec 8, 1931 |
Exactly four years after her temporary vows, she professed her perpetual vows, and became a nun consecrated to the Church and God. |
1934 |
Msgr. Count Franciscus von Campos Barreto, Bishop of Campinas approved the devotion of Rosary of Our Lady of Tears. He gave an Imprimatur to the Rosary of Tears and recommended use of the medal, saying it had already worked many miracles in Brazil and Europe. |
Approval of the Devotion
Devotion to this Rosary was approved by Bishop Francisco Campos Barreto, Bishop of Campinas, who not only allowed the recognition of the events, but he did his utmost to spread everywhere the commemorative medal of Our Lady of Tears, the source of many conversions and graces.
"Innnumerable graces have been received through the praying of the rosary to honor the tears of our dear Lady. The reason lies in the promise of the holy Savior, 'no favor will be refused, when asked of Him for the sake of the tears of His most holy Mother.'
It is well known, that the holy Savior rewards in a special way the sincere reverence for the sorrows of His most holy Mother, which alone are the cause of her tears. Also from Germany, Holland, and Belgium many report of extraordinary favors and graces. They prayed the rosary of our Lady of the Tears daily for nine days, received the holy sacraments and performed works of mercy.
From religious, we understand, that the praying of this rosary is a very dear habit to which they attribute extraordinary graces. For that reason, they pray it daily often to ask graces for themselves and others, the conversion of sinners, heretics, and atheists, to obtain graces for priests and missionaries, to help the dying, and to free the poor souls from Purgatory.
A believing, pious soul, for whom the good of the holy Church, and the honor of God is close at heart, knows without special guidance, what it can and will obtain from our gracious Redeemer through the tears of His most holy Mother.
When sorrow and suffering fill our heart, we direct our thoughts to God. Through the tears of Mary, His most holy Mother, we soften the heart of God, even though it is ever ready to grant us kindness, graces and blessings.
At the present, so it seems to us, the blessed tears of the Mother of Jesus are especially powerful to win the heart of God."
-- Msgr. Count Franciscus von Campos Barreto, Bishop of Campinas (1934)
Rosary of Our Lady of Tears
The rosary transmitted to Sister Amalia by the Mother of God consists of forty-nine white beads, which is divided into seven parts by seven larger beads of the same color -- similar to the rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. At the end, there are attached three more small beads and a medal of our Lady of Tears.
Through these instructions we are obviously directed to honor Mary our Mother on account of her sorrows, for which she shed many tears. The medal of our Lady of Tears is an essential part of the rosary, but it must be the way it was revealed to Sister Amalia by the Mother of God on April 30, 1930.
On the Medal to Jesus
O crucified Jesus, we fall at Your feet and offer You the tears of the one, who with deep compassionate love accompanied You on Your sorrowful way of the Cross. O good Master, grant that we take to heart the lessons which the tears of Your most holy Mother teach us, so that we may fulfill Your holy will on earth, that we may be worthy to praise and exalt You in Heaven for all eternity. Amen.
In Place of the Our Father
(and on the final three beads)
V. O Jesus, look upon the tears of the one who loved You most on earth,
R. And loves You most ardently in heaven. In Place of the Hail Mary
V. O Jesus, listen to our prayers,
R. For the sake of the tears of your most Holy Mother.
On the Medal to Mary
O Mary, Mother of Love, Sorrow and mercy, we beseech you to unite your prayers with ours so that Jesus, your Divine Son, to whom we turn, may hear our petititons in the name of your maternal tears, and grant us, not only the favors we now ask, but the crown of everlasting life. Amen.
Source:
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Laurentin, Rene and Sbalchiero, Patrick. Dictionary of the Apparitions of the Virgin Mary. p.143
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Arch Ernst J 129;
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Bouflet-Boutry, 1997, 2320233;
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Daniken, 1975, 310;
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Ernst, 1989, 136; Id. Maria redet zu uns, 1994, 81-84;
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Freze, 1993, 263.
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Gamba, 199, 438;
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D. W. Mut, Helferin der Armen und Notleidenden, Fustenfeldbruck, 1935;
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Turi, 398-399;
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F. Campos Barreto, Nossa Senhora das Lagrimas, Ediçoes, Rainha Vitoriosa do Mundo.
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http://www.latheotokos.it
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Catholic Devotions - http://www.starharbor.com/santiago/tears.html
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