Lighting Candles, Faith, & Surrender

The Lady of Seven Sorrows Shrine

During a recent visit to Mabou, I stopped at the Mother of 7 Sorrows and Pioneer religious shrine enclosed in a miniature pioneer church, dedicated to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows and the pioneers of the Mabou area, a place I remember visiting when I was younger. The seven sorrows are those carried by Mary.

Even then, it felt like a place where I could quietly surrender my concerns, offer my prayers, and trust that I did not have to carry everything alone.

Returning brought back that same sense of peace.

We paused to light candles and pray—not asking for all our problems to go away, but for the strength to handle what we can and the faith to let go of what we can’t.

There is something deeply comforting about the simple act of lighting a candle. The flame becomes a visible expression of an invisible prayer. It represents hope, remembrance, love, and trust.

Faith has always reminded me that there is more to this life than what we can see or fully understand. I believe we are supported by a loving deity, by guardian spirits, and by the presence of those who walk beside us, both seen and unseen.

Faith does not mean that we never feel afraid, disappointed, or uncertain. It does not provide easy answers to every painful question. Instead, it offers us somewhere to place the questions when they become too heavy to carry alone.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

For those travelling through difficult places on their journey, faith can become an anchor. It can help us breathe through uncertainty, find meaning in the waiting, and trust that even when the path ahead is unclear, we are not abandoned.

We can make thoughtful choices, advocate for ourselves, care for our bodies, and reach out for support. We can do everything within our power. Then, there comes a moment when we must loosen our grip and surrender the rest.

At the shrine, with quiet prayers and the soft light of candles around me, I remembered that letting go isn’t the same as giving up.

Surrender is choosing to trust.

It means accepting we can’t control everything, but still believing that love, grace, and support are always around us.

Sometimes faith feels strong and sure. Other times, it’s just being willing to light a candle, say a quiet prayer, and keep moving forward.

May we find peace in what we can change, acceptance in what we cannot, and faith in all that we may not yet see.