The Stabat Mater is a profound meditation on Mary's suffering at the foot of the Cross. This medieval sequence is used on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15) and during the Stations of the Cross.
English (Selected Verses)
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!
Holy Mother, pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified.
Let me share with thee his pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.
Christ, when thou shalt call me hence,
be thy Mother my defense,
be thy cross my victory.
While my body here decays,
may my soul thy goodness praise,
safe in paradise with thee. Amen.
Origin: A 13th-century sequence traditionally attributed to Jacopone da Todi or Pope Innocent III. Composers from Palestrina to Pergolesi to Dvořak have set it to music.