At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last, begins the Stabat Mater Dolorosa, a beautiful hymn based on the suffering of Mary at the Cross.
Holy Saturday is a day of profound silence—the King is in the tomb. We don’t celebrate Mass on this day until the joyful and triumphant celebration of the Easter Vigil later this evening. While we wait in quiet reverence for Jesus’ Resurrection, we can reflect on His Passion and death through the eyes of His mother.
The aforementioned hymn is an excellent way to reflect and pray today, remembering the sorrows of our Blessed Mother. It is a moving way to walk with Mary and reflect on her anguish as she watched her Son die a humiliating and painful death. You can find the Latin version of this hymn on the Relevant Radio® app in the prayer menu under ‘Latin Prayers’.
As we strive to love Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the way that His mother loved Him, we unite our sufferings to Mary. Every day, through her love and her deep suffering, she leads us to her Son.
Stabat Mater Dolorosa
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 passed.
Oh, 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?
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
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 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 our 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 latest 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, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in his awful judgment day.
Christ, when you shall call me hence,
be your mother my defense,
be your cross my victory.
While my body here decays,
may my soul your goodness praise,
safe in heaven eternally.
Amen.
