Stabat mater dolorosa At the cross her station keeping
iuxta Crucem lacrimosa stood the mournful mother weeping
dum pendebat Filius close to Jesus to the last
~/~/~
One of my favorite things about Lent are the Stations of the
Cross, performed each Friday at the church.
They are a beautiful tradition which dates back to the fifth
century. Each station is a step of
self-sacrifice and greatest love.
This. It is the most
beautiful Way of the Cross ever. St. Alphonsus Liguori writes from his heart
in a way that cannot help but move you. {all words in italics are from this book}
~/~/~
Cuius animam gementem Through her heart His sorrow sharing
contristatem et dolentem all His bitter anguish bearing
pertransivit gladius now at length the sword has passed
“We adore you, O
Christ, and we praise You.” “Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the
world.”
The church is hushed.
“My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the
sufferings You have destined for me until death.”
There are creaks and deep, concentrated breathing as
knees genuflect, stand, kneel.
“With all my heart
I repent of ever having offended You.”
The candles of the servers flicker as the spoken
words of the meditation rise and fall.
“Grant that in all
my temptations I may always have recourse to You.”
The responses break forth from the people, strong and
full. (you try not to laugh as your little sister solemnly and seriously pronounces 'wounds' as 'wow-nds')
“I beg You by all
You suffered in carrying Your cross, to help me carry mine with Your perfect
peace and resignation.”
Hearts are lifted wholly to God, rising as if on incense.
Quis est homo qui non fleret Is there one who would not weep
matren Christi si videret whelmed in miseries so deep
in tanto supplicio Christ's dear mother to behold
The ‘Stabat Mater’ swells in a heart-aching, lovely
melody.
“Jesus and Mary
gazed at each other and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those
hearts which loved each other so tenderly.”
Oh, the sorrow in these words!
“The cruelty of His
executioners was excessive; they tried to hasten His steps though He barely had
strength to move.”
Pro peccatis suae gentis Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled
vidit Iesum in tormentis she beheld her tender child
et flagellis subditum all with bloody scourges rent
Jesus, You went through so much for me – and yet I am
still stubborn and blind to Your love!
“My despised Jesus,
nail my heart to the cross, that it may always remain there to love You and
never leave You again.”
Mother Mary, although it is burdened with many defects, I
entrust my heart to your Son through you.
“Have pity for your
Savior, so cruelly treated!”
Holy week begins soon.
We must start to prepare our hearts.
{images via Pinterest. -My sister and I used to argue that "Ben Hur Gives Jesus a Drink of Water" should have been included as a station... :P}
