The Venerable Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows is a religious Order. It is a Third Order (a Lay Order) that has its origins in 1233 when seven friends from Florence (Italy), amidst the chaos produced by the struggles and enmities of the time, believed it was best to dedicate their lives to more fruitful things than fighting among themselves. They chose the evangelical values of fraternity, charity towards others, prayer, communion, and peace, honoring Mary as the Queen of Peace. These friends, who belonged to illustrious families, decided to isolate themselves on Mount Senari near Florence. In the convent they established on Mount Senari, on Good Friday, the Sorrowful Virgin appeared to them, giving them the mission of prayer and charity towards others, which marked the origin of the Servants of Mary Order or Servites.

In Besalú, my hometown, where I was born, the Order of the Servants of Mary or Servites was established on August 28, 1699, the feast of Saint Augustine, with the founding of the Venerable Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows of Besalú, which today, with more than 300 years of history, is and has been a cornerstone of spirituality for many people.

The Congregation of Besalú, considered one of the oldest and most charismatic Congregations in Catalonia, is responsible for organizing the annual Feast of Sorrows, which in Besalú is an impressive display of popular religiosity, felt in all the events of the day, from the first Mass at dawn to its most climactic moment: the solemn Procession of Sorrows late at night... where tradition and spirituality walk hand in hand...

This long history, along with all that the Congregation has meant and means for the former capital of the County and its surroundings, led the Government of Catalonia to award it the Cross of Saint George 2005, both for its historical and spiritual significance and for the exceptional uniqueness of this Feast within the Catalan Lenten cycle, as well as for its work in fostering unity among all the people of Besalú.

Since I was a child, my grandmother and parents instilled in me devotion to the Sorrowful Virgin, which has always accompanied me in my journey through life. This is why, here in my weblog, I want to share this feeling with all of you, in case it can help you, as it has helped me.