[…] The first thing John mentions is that Mary “stands near the cross of Jesus”, close
to her Son. She stood there, at the foot of the cross, with unwavering conviction,
fearless and immovable. This is the main way that Mary shows herself – she stands
near those who suffer, those from whom the world flees, including those who have
been put on trial, condemned by all, deported. Nor is it that they are simply oppressed
or exploited; they are completely “outside the system”, on the very fringes of society
(cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 53). The Mother also stands close by them, steadfast beneath
their cross of incomprehension and suffering[…]
