STABAT MATER : *STABAT MATER is the title of a thirteenth-century Latin hymn and it means The Mother was standing. In Latin, the hymn consists of twenty couplets which describe the Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin at the Cross. There are more than sixty English translations that have been made of the STABAT MATER. At the cross her station keeping, Mary stood in sorrow weeping When her Son was crucified. While she waited in her anguish, Seeing Christ in torment languish, Bitter sorrow pierced her heart. With what pain and desolation, With what noble resignation, Mary watched her dying Son. Ever-patient in her yearning Though her tear-filled eyes were burning, Mary gazed upon her Son. Who, that sorrow contemplating, On that passion meditating, Would not share the Virgins grief? Christ she saw, for our salvation, Scourged with cruel acclamation, Bruised and beaten by the rod. Christ she saw with life-blood failing, All her anguish unavailing, Saw him breathe his very last. Mary, fount of loves devotion, Let me share with true emotion All the sorrow you endured. Virgin, ever interceding, Hear me in my fervent pleading: Fire me with your love of Christ. Mother, may this prayer be granted: That Christs love may be implanted In the depths of my poor soul. At the cross, your sorrow sharing, All your grief and torment bearing, Let me stand and mourn with you. Fairest maid of all creation, Queen of hope and consolation, Let me feel your grief sublime. Virgin, in your love befriend me, At the Judgment Day defend me. Help me by your constant prayer. Savior, when my life shall leave me, Through your mothers prayers receive me With the fruits of victory. 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 your dying Son divine. 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 awe-full judgment day. Savior, when my life shall leave me, Through your mothers prayers receive me With the fruits of victory. While my body here decays May my soul your goodness praise, Safe in heaven eternally. Amen Alleluia. ** Spiritual Meaning : Christians of the twentieth century can truly identify with Our Ladys experience of Sorrow. The message of the Stabat Mater focuses on the spiritual and emotional bond which unites Mary and all Christians to the death of her Son on the Cross. From this bond, each Christian can recognize the incredible compassion and holiness in Marys character. The Blessed Mother demonstrated her maternal compassion to all generations of Christians by her presence and participation with her Son Jesus in the Sacrifice of the Cross. There is a mother-son bond that unites Mary with Christ Jesus during his experience of suffering and death. This empathetic bond indicates that Our Lady shared in her Sons suffering. Mary is Our Lady of Sorrows precisely because her Son Christ Jesus bore the sins of the world during his passion and death. As the faithful disciple, Our Blessed Mother invites us to unite our personal suffering with her own. We can share in Jesus burden on the Cross, just as Mary did at Calvary. As Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary also reminds us that Christians are called to expiate for his or her own sins and the sins of their neighbors, and the sins of the world. We can share in the bond between the Blessed Mother and Our Lord through fasting, prayer, and contrition for sin. Our Lady of Sorrows teaches us that the Crown of eternal life in Heaven can be reached when we each choose to share with Our Lord in His suffering and death on the Cross at Calvary. The compassion of Mary is part of the mystery of the Church communitys sharing in, and offering, the Sacrifice of Jesus for the salvation of the world. Each member of the Church has a role to play in redeeming the world. Our Lady of Sorrows is a guide who inspires and teaches us how to be compassionate. Source : International Marian Research Institute University of Dayton Pergolesi - Stabat Mater in F Minor - Mov. 1-3/12 : youtube/watch?v=vLKw6kSOqIw Photo : tissot-mater dolorosa Thanks to : Willy R Reyes
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 05:48:05 +0000