Catholic Book of Worship III ‎#694

694. Stabat Mater Dolorosa

1 Jesus on the cross is dying
Soon his body will be lying
In the darkness of the tomb.

2 God's own mother, purest maiden,
Sees the sinless One, sin-laden,
Blessed fruit of blessed womb.

3 Mary's heart for him is aching
As she sees her Son's heart breaking
So that love may be revealed.

4 Now at last her heart is feeling
Sorrow's sword, her Son revealing
Thoughts in many hearts concealed.

5 How could pity not awaken
For the Son of God, forsaken
In the loneliness of death?

6 Who would not give consolation
In this Mother's desolation
As he breathes his dying breath?

7 Mary's heart for him is bleeding;
In his blood, for sinners pleading,
God's new law of love is sealed.

8 "It is done", she hears him crying
At the moment of his dying:
Death by death has now been healed.

9 Let me stand beside you, sharing
Grief for Jesus, my sins bearing
On the cross of Calvary.

10 By the cross your vigil keeping,
Let me share your silent weeping,
Pierce my heart with sorrow's sword.

11 Let me, though in humble fashion,
Share with you the bitter passion
Of the Son you brought to birth.

12 Let me bear the wounds of Jesus,
Drink the precious blood that frees us,
Glory only in his cross.

13 Let the cross be my salvation,
Jesus' death my consolation,
In that hour when I must die.

14 Queen of heaven, by the merit
Of your Son let me inherit
Joy with all the saints on high.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus on the cross is dying
• Title: Stabat Mater Dolorosa
• Translator: James Quinn, B. 1919
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1994
• Topic: Justice; Mary, Mother of God; Stations of the Cross
• Source: Missale Romanum, Sequence for Our Lady of Sorrows

Tune Information

• Name: STABAT MATER
• Meter: 887
• Key: F Major
• Source: 1748 form of melody from the Maintzisch Gesangbuch, 1661