The martyrdom of the Virgin – which we named as the twelfth star in her crown, if you remember – is mentioned in the prophecy of Simeon as well as in the account of the Lord’s passion. For the holy man says of the infant Jesus Behold, this child is set for a sign that shall be opposed, and he said to Mary, and a sword shall pierce your own soul. Truly, blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your soul. For unless it had, it would not have penetrated the flesh of your Son. And after your Jesus – he is everyone’s, but especially yours – has sent out his spirit, the cruel lance, not sparing him even after death, although it could harm him no more, opens his side, and while it clearly cannot touch his soul, it pierces yours. Without a doubt his soul was not there, but clearly yours could not be wrenched away. Yes, a violent grief pierced your soul, so that we may say with good reason that you are more than a martyr, in that your feeling of compassion exceeded physical suffering.
Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons for the Autumn Season, Sunday within the Octave of the Assumption, v. 14 (CF 54, p. 67-68)