Direct biblical statement
Luke 2:34–35
A sword shall pierce
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted.
35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.
Douay–Rheims · Challoner revision · Luke 2:34–35
Why this matters
Simeon addresses Mary with a prophecy of sorrow while speaking of Jesus as a sign of contradiction. Catholic tradition connects her suffering with her presence at the Cross; the passage does not describe her as a separate redeemer.