For the Feast of the Lady of Sorrows, we share a classic prayer in honor of the Blessed Mother.

by Sr. Mary Magdalene, OP
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I remember reading a book on Blessed Charles de Foucauld which had excerpts translated from the French language throughout. Occasionally, however, the author deliberately left words in French because he felt that their meaning was a bit weightier than if he had tried to find an equivalent word in English. Upon initial reading, I found myself stumbling over the sudden appearance of a French word set off in italics. But upon reading the footnote descriptor of its approximate meaning I came to appreciate that it took nearly a sentence or two to even attempt to flesh out what that little word in italics embodied in itself.

More recently, another author, in referring to the writings of St. Catherine of Sienna, left a phrase in its original Italian. Immediately I thought of my earlier experience and sensed that the phrase held more treasure than a simple translation to English might convey.
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So here I am turning the phrase Pazzo d’amore* over in my mind and my heart in an effort to reveal just a small portion of what St. Catherine might be trying to share.

Canonized on April 12, 1671 by Pope Clement X, Rose of Lima was the first person from the American continents to be sainted. 

A model of perseverance and fortitude, St. Rose of Lima joined the Third Order while living in seclusion at her family home after being forbidden to join the Dominican nuns by her father, who wished her to marry.