Thy soul therefore was transpierced by a violent sorrow, in such a way that it is not without a reason that we proclaim thee more than a Martyr, thou in whom the feeling of corporal suffering was surpassed by the affectionate feeling of compassion.
Were not these words, penetrating so deep as to divide the soul from the spirit, more than a sword piercing thy soul; Mother, behold thy son. Oh! What an exchange! John is given thee instead of Jesus, the servant instead of the Lord, the disciple instead of the Master, the son of Zebedee rather than the Son of God a mere man rather than a true God. How would hearing such words not have pierced your soul, affectionate beyond comparison, while mentioning them alone cruches our own hearts, our hearts of stone and iron?
When they arrived at the place called Calvary , they crucified him here. However, by the cross of Jesus, was standing his mother. Then, the sword of sorrow transpierced her blessed soul.
(Sermon on the twelve stars)
Saint Bernard
