The Family Foundation School Catholic Community Bulletin
Pauca Verba (Latin for, “A Few Words)
A sequence is a sung poem-prayer composed for the Mass of a particular feast. Dozens have been composed over the centuries. Today only a few remain in the missal: Easter, Corpus Christi, Pentecost. The Stabat Mater is a particularly sensitive and tender sequence composed for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15). But of course, it may be prayed and pondered during Lent as well – perhaps before the icon by the pulpit of Mary grieving. Here is a new English translation from the Latin. Look at how the poem ends in hope and with thoughts of eternal life!
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 Virgin’s 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 love’s 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 Christ’s love may be implanted
In the depth 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 mother’s prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.
Let me to your love be taken,
Let my soul in death awaken
To the joys of Paradise.
Stabat Mater dolorosa: Jacopone da Todi, 1230-1306
