Stabat Mater

 This 13th century hymn is considered one of the greatest Latin hymns of all time. Although in modern times most people recognize the "Stabat Mater" as a hymn sung with the Stations of the Cross, beginning in the 17th century this hymn was used on the two feasts of the Seven Sorrows of Mary:  September 15 and the Friday before Palm Sunday.  The "Stabat Mater" seems a fitting hymn on which to meditate throughout Holy Week, especially on Good Friday.  As we strive to honor Our Lord's Passion through prayer and sacrifice, may we also keep in remembrance the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Sorrows.  Let us remember her anguish and sorrow as she stood at the foot of the Cross of her Son, helpless and heartbroken.  May we also strive to sacrifice and pray to ease the grief she felt within her heart, a heart pierced with the sword of sorrow Simeon foretold.

Stabat Mater

At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword had pass'd. Oh, how sad and sore distress'd Was that Mother highly blest Of the sole-begotten One! Christ above in torment hangs; She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep, Whelm'd in miseries so deep Christ's dear Mother to behold? Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain, In that Mother's pain untold? Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd, She beheld her tender child All with bloody scourges rent. For the sins of His own nation, Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent. O thou Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above; Make my heart with thine accord. Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ our Lord. Holy Mother! pierce me through; In my heart each wound renew Of my Saviour crucified. Let me share with thee His pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torments died. Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning Him who mourn'd for me, All the days that I may live. By the cross with thee to stay, There with thee to weep and pray, Is all I ask of thee to give. Virgin of all virgins best, Listen to my fond request Let me share thy grief divine. Let me, to my latest breath, In my body bear the death Of that dying Son of thine. Wounded with His every wound, Steep my soul till it hath swoon'd In His very blood away. Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, Lest in flames I burn and die, In His awful Judgment day. Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, Be Thy Mother my defence, Be Thy cross my victory. While my body here decays, May my soul Thy goodness praise, Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Stabat Mater dolorosa Juxta Crucem lacrimosa, Dum pendebat Filius. Cujus animam gementem, Contristatam et dolentem, Pertransivit gladius. O quam tristis et afflicta Fuit illa benedicta Mater Unigeniti! Quem maerebat, et dolebat, Pia Mater, dum videbat Nati paenas inclyti. Quis est homo, qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si videret In tanto supplicio? Quis non posset contristari, Christi Matrem contemplari Dolentem cum Filio? Pro peccatis suae gentis Vidit Jesum in tormentis, Et flagellis subditum. Vidit suum dulcem natum Moriendo desolatum, Dum emisit spiritum. Eia Mater, fons amoris, Me sentire vim doloris Fac, ut tecum lugeam. Fac, ut ardeat cor meum In amando Christum Deum, Ut sibi complaceam. Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas Cordi meo valide. Tui nati vulnerati, Tam dignati pro me pati, Paenas rnecum divide. Fac me tecum pie flere, Crucifixo condolere, Donec ego vixero. Juxta Crucem tecum stare, Et me tibi sociare In planctu desidero. Virgo virginum praeclara, Mihi jam non sis amara: Fac me tecum plangere. Fac, ut portem Christi mortem Passionis fac consortum, Et plagas recolere. Fac me plagis vulnerari Fac me cruce inebriari, Et cruore Filii. Flammis ne urar succensus Per te, Virgo, sim defensus In die judicii. Christe, cum sit hinc exire, Da per Matrem me venire, Ad palmam victoriae. Quando corpus morietur, Fac, ut animae donetur Paradisi gloria.