It is hard to imagine the pain a mother felt as she stood by the body of her crucified son. But Mary's suffering, which she shared with Jesus, began much earlier. The memorial of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows invites us to contemplate the seven events that marked her immaculate heart. The first silver medal of the Czech Mint commemorates the prophecy of Simeon in the temple.

In Jerusalem lived a righteous and God-fearing man named Simeon, who lived to a blessed age and to whom the Holy Spirit promised that he would not die before he saw the Saviour with his own eyes. When forty days had elapsed since Jesus' birth, Mary and Joseph brought the boy to the Temple in Jerusalem to make a sacrifice for him according to Jewish tradition, and for Mary to undergo a ritual maternal cleansing. Simeon also came to the temple at that time and recognized in Jesus the true Son of God. He took the boy in his arms and said, "Now you are releasing your servant in peace, Lord, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all nations - a light that will be a revelation to the pagans, a glory for your people Israel." Joseph and Mary were amazed at what the prophet said. Simeon blessed them and spoke to Mary: "Behold, he is given for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, and as a sign that they will resist - even your own soul will be pierced by the sword - so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Simeon thus indicated that Jesus would be the cause of Israel's division, that he would suffer, and that the plagues directed at him would affect his mother as well. From this point on, Mary began to prepare for the tragic and inevitable fate of her son. Her pain, however, was at the same time filled with joy - she understood why God had sent the Savior into the world through her, and she recognized that without sacrifice and without pain, salvation could not come...

On the obverse side of the commemorative medal, which is the work of the medal maker David Kružliak, a scene from the Temple of Jerusalem is immortalized. Simeon is holding the baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph are watching the fateful prophecy. The reverse side, which is common to the whole cycle, is dominated by the bust of the Virgin Mary. Her seven sorrows are expressed through heart pierced by seven swords.

The cycle of silver medals will gradually present all seven biblical events. Anyone who immerses themselves in Mary's story will experience not only her distressing worries and heartbreaking pain, but also a strength that would be impossible without an unshakable trust in God.