The Sorrowful Mother Stood
At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the sorrowful 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 passed.
O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blessed,
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,
whelmed 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?
For the sins of his own nation,
she saw Jesus wracked with torment,
all with scourges torn.
Stabat Mater Prayer
She beheld her tender Child
saw him hang in desolation
till his spirit forth he sent.
O sweet Mother, font of love,
touch my spirit from above;
make my heart with yours accord.
Make me feel as you have felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.
Holy Mother, pierce me through;
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified.
Let me share with you his pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.
Let me mingle tears with you,
mourning him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live.
By the Cross with you to stay,
there with you to weep and pray,
is all I ask of you to give.
Virgin of all virgins blest,
listen to my fond request:
let me share your grief divine.
Let me, to my final breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of yours.
Wounded with his every wound,
steep my soul till it has swooned
in his very Blood away.
Be to me, O Virgin, near,
lest in flames I burn and die
on the awful judgment day.
Christ, when you shall call me hence,
through your Mother my defense,
may I gain the victor's palm.
When my body dies, let my soul be given
the glory of paradise.
Amen.
The Stabat Mater is a precious liturgical hymn contemplating Mary's sorrow at the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ: the suffering of a Mother who sees her Son upon the Cross, giving his life for the salvation of humanity.