There was once a priest who had a special devotion to Mary as the Sorrowful Mother. He frequently remained alone in a chapel where he would contemplate the sorrows of his Lady and by his prayers, console her. The chapel had a statue of the sorrowful virgin and often, when moved by a deep compassion for her bitter tears, the priest would take a little cloth and lovingly wipe, as it were, the tears of the statue.

Later, this same priest fell seriously ill and was given up on by all his doctors. Patiently waiting to die, the good man suddenly felt a presence at his side. He turned and saw a beautiful lady standing there. She spoke a little while to the dying priest, and her words greatly consoled him. Then the lady took out a handkerchief and with it gently wiped the sweat from his brow. As the cloth passed over his head, the priest felt his strength return and life surge within him. He was cured.

Turning to the kind eyes above him, the priest asked "But, my Lady, who are you who practice such charity towards me?"

"I am she," the lovely woman responded, "whose tears you have so often dried." And then Our Lady disappeared.