Since 2009, the Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents (EMFGP) has been serving the spiritual needs of parents whose children of any age, have died by any cause, no matter how long ago. Our Lady of Sorrows is its patron saint.

"Mary lost her baby boy on Calvery. She totally understands the horrific grief of a parent whose precious child has died," said Diane Monaghan, an EMFGP co-founder.

"A child is always a child to a parent, no matter how old," said Monaghan. "Our oldest EMFGP parent is a 94-year-old mother grieving the death of her 68-year-old son. The grief of a parent is a sorrow like no other," she said, "It cuts to the core and creates a hole in the heart that never heals until they are joined again in heaven forever."

"Mary knows our pain," said Monaghan. "Who better to choose as our patron saint? Who better to intercede for us? Who better to model trust? Who better to model hope?"

Consequently, following Church tradition, EMFGP is honoring Our Lady of Sorrows the entire month of September. The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is Sept. 14, while the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is Sept. 15. However, the Church suggests we practice devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows the entire month.

Sept. 14. Grieving parents all over the United States will join via Zoom on Sept. 14 in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows to pray a very special Seven Sorrows Rosary. Those who register early receive a beautiful, complimentary, BuildtheFaith.com Seven Sorrows Rosary, specially made for EMFGP. This online Zoom rosary will be led by Laurie Jacob, Daryth's mother.

Sept. 1-30. Masses in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows for the intentions of all grieving parents will be celebrated during the entire month of September all over the United States.

Sept. 15 at noon -- Archdiocese of Boston Pastoral Center, Braintree, MA: Join parents and friends at noon for a Mass in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows for the intentions of all grieving parents. This Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Cristiano Barbosa.

Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m. -- St. Raphael's, Medford, MA: Join us to celebrate a Mass in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows for the intentions of all in need of consolation, followed by a reception in the parish center.

Catholic TV: Join parents and friends everywhere online for a Mass in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows for the intentions of all grieving parents at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. This Mass will be celebrated by Father Jurgen Liias, EMFGP's chaplain.

Sept. 16. Father Jurgen Liias, EMFGP's beloved chaplain, will give a reflection on Our Lady of Sorrows as the patron saint of EMFGP. This reflection is part of EMFGP's monthly Midweek Gathering One-Hour Retreat Program for Grieving Parents, which is offered on the third Wednesday of every month via Zoom from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET.

EMFGP invites anyone interested to join us at any of these events. For more information or to register, see www.emfgp.org.