My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real and I feel so ashamed. I complain of my sufferings and find obedience to the Father's Will difficult. My Mind bogged down by the poverty, sickness, starvation, greed and hatred in the world.
There are many innocent people who suffer so unjustly. There are those born with physical and mental defects. Do we understand that You continue to carry Your cross in the minds and bodies of each human being?
Help me to see the Father's Will in every incident of my daily life. This is what You did - you saw the Father's Will in Your persecutors, Your enemies and your pain.
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
First Station
Jesus Is Condemned to Die
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
It was early Friday morning when I saw my son. That was the first glimpse I had of him since they took him away. His bruised and bleeding skin sent a sword of pain deep into my heart and tears down my cheeks. Then Pilate, from his chair of judgment, asked the crowd why they wanted my son executed. All around me they shouted, "Crucify him!" I wanted to plead with them to stop, but I knew this had to be. So I stood by and cried silently.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is hard for me to imagine the anguish your mother felt at your condemnation. But what about today, when I hold a grudge...? "Crucify him!" When I judge others...? "Crucify him!" Doesn't this bring tears of anguish to both you and your mother? Forgive me, Jesus.
Ancient Collect:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God... you stood before them to be mocked, smitten with palm and fist... you were condemned, and as an innocent Lamb led to slaughter." [141] p. 45.3, Sarum Missal, Innocent III
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers (one time)]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.
Second Station
Jesus Takes His Cross
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Regaining a little strength, I walked with the crowds to the entrance of the square. A door flew open and my son stumbled out, the guards laughing behind him. Two men dragged over a heavy wooden cross and dropped it on his shoulders. Then they shoved him down the road. My pain for him was unbearable. I wanted to take the cross from him and carry it myself. But I knew this had to be, so I walked on silently.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I beg you to forgive me for the many times I have added more weight to your cross by closing my eyes to the pain and loneliness of my neighbor. Forgive me for gossiping about others and for always trying to find excuses to avoid certain people who wish to talk with me. Help me to be like Mary, always seeking to lighten the crosses of others. Forgive me, Jesus.
Ancient Collect:
In loving patience Christ fixed his hands to the cross... the punishment borne by innocence became the freedom of the debtor. [130] p. 41.1, Old Gallican
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.
Third Station
Jesus Falls the First Time
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
I followed close behind my son as he stumbled toward Calvary. Nothing had ever hurt me more than to see him in such pain. I saw the cross digging into his shoulders. My heart dropped when I saw him fall face to the ground, the heavy cross landing squarely on his back. For a moment I thought my beloved son was dead. Now, my whole body began to tremble. Then the guards kicked him. He rose slowly and began to walk again, yet they still whipped him. I wanted to protect him with my own body. But, I knew this had to be, so I walked on and wept silently.
Prayer:
Lord, how often have I seen you fall, and, unlike Mary, have left you there without concern? How often have I seen people make mistakes and laughed at them? How often do I find myself getting angry when someone does things differently than I? Mary offered you her support through your entire passion. Help me to do the same for you by the support I give to others. Lord, have mercy on me.
Ancient Collect:
Almighty God, grant that we who have failed in our weakness through so many troubles may be relieved by the intervention of the Passion of your only Son. [135] p. 43.1, Gregorian
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One.
Fourth Station
Jesus Meets His Grieving Mother
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
I managed to break through the crowd and was walking side by side with my son. I called to him through the shouting voices. He stopped. Our eyes met, mine full of tears of anguish, his full of pain and confusion. I felt helpless; then his eyes said to me, "Courage! There is a purpose for this." As he stumbled on, I knew he was right. So I followed and prayed silently.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me the many times our eyes met and I turned mine away. Forgive me the times things did not go my way and I let everyone know about it. Forgive me the times I brooded over little inconveniences or became discouraged and did not heed your call to courage! Yes, Lord, our eyes have met many times, but fruitlessly.
Ancient Collect:
O Lord, purify your family... that those who have been redeemed by their Lord's Passion may never again be stained by the unclean spirit, but may be possessed by eternal salvation. [132] p. 42.2, Leonine
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son.
Fifth Station
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
I could now see almost complete helplessness on the face of my son as he tried to carry his heavy load. Each step looked as if it would be his last. I felt his every pain in my heart and I wanted the whole thing to end. Then I noticed some commotion near Jesus. The guards had pulled a protesting man from the crowd. They forced him to pick up the back of the cross to help lighten my son's load. He asked the guards why this had to be. I knew, and so followed silently.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have many times refused to help you. I have been a selfish person who has often questioned your word. Don't let me remain like Simon, but help me to be like your mother, Mary, who always silently followed and obeyed.
Ancient Collect:
Teach us by the example of your Passion to take your easy yoke and your light burden and learn from you, since you are gentle and lowly in heart. [145] p. 46.3, Mozarabic
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
As I continued close by Jesus, a woman pushed past the guards, took off her veil, and began to wipe my son's sweating, bloody face. The guards immediately pulled her back. Her face seemed to say, "Why are you doing this to him?" I knew, so I walked on in faith, silently.
Prayer:
Lord, this woman gave you the best she could. On the other hand, I have wanted to take more than I give. So many opportunities arise every day for me to give to you by giving to others---but I pass them by. My savior, never let me ask why again, but help me to give all I have to you.
Ancient Collect:
Today, O good Jesus, you did not hide your face from shame and spitting for us... blot out the sins of all your people. [151] p. 48.3, Mozarabic
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother's pain untold?
Seventh Station
Jesus Falls the Second Time
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Again my son fell, and again my grief was overwhelming at the thought that he might die. I started to move toward him, but the soldiers prevented me. He rose and stumbled ahead slowly. Seeing my son fall, get up again, and continue on was bitter anguish to me. But, since I knew this had to be, I walked on silently.
Prayer:
Lord, of all people Mary was your most faithful follower, never stopping in spite of all the pain she felt for you. I have many times turned away from you by my sins and have caused others to turn away from you. I beg you to have mercy on me.
Ancient Collect:
Almighty God, grant that we who are always afflicted by our own transgressions, may be delivered by the Passion of your only Son. [136] p. 43.2, Gregorian
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
she beheld her tender Child
All with bloody scourges rent:
Eighth Station
Jesus Speaks to the Women
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
I was walking a few steps behind Jesus when I saw him stop. Some women were there crying for him and pitying him. He told them not to shed tears for him. They had the opportunity to accept him as the messiah; like many others, they rejected him instead. He told them to shed tears for themselves, tears that would bring their conversion. They did not see the connection between that and his walk to death. I did, and as he walked on, I followed silently.
Prayer:
My savior, many times have I acted like these women, always seeing the faults of others and pitying them. Yet, very rarely have I seen my own sinfulness and asked your pardon. Lord, you have taught me through these women. Forgive me, Lord, for my blindness.
Ancient Collect:
O Christ, Son of God... Receive the prayers of your people. Save those you have redeemed. Give life to those you have delivered. [146] p. 47.1, Mozarabic
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
For the sins of His own nation,
saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.
Ninth Station
Jesus Falls the Third Time
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
This fall of Jesus was agony to me. Not only had he fallen on the rocky ground again, but now he was almost at the top of the hill of crucifixion. The soldiers screamed at him and abused him, almost dragging him the last few steps. My heart pounded as I imagined what they would do to him next. But, I knew this had to be, so I climbed the hill silently behind him.
Prayer:
My loving Jesus, I know that many times I have offered my hand to help people but when it became inconvenient or painful, I withdrew it. Help me to persevere in helping others, especially when it is most difficult. Give me the courage of your Blessed Mother.
Ancient Collect:
Lord Jesus Christ, you went to the wood of the cross for the redemption of the world to enlighten the whole world which was in deep darkness. Shine your light into our souls... [149] p. 48.1, Sarum Missal
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:
Tenth Station
Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
With my son finally relieved of the weight of the cross, I thought he would have a chance to rest. But the guards immediately started to rip his clothes off his blood-clotted skin. The sight of my son in such pain was unbearable. Yet, since I knew this had to be, I stood by and cried silently.
Prayer:
Lord, in my own way I too have stripped you. I have taken away the good name of another by foolish talk, and have stripped people of human dignity by my prejudice. Jesus, there are so many ways I have offended you through the hurt I have caused others. Help me to see you in all people.
Ancient Collect:
You 'washed your garment in wine, and your clothes in the blood of grapes,' for you are God alone, crucified for us, whom the old transgression gave over to death. [155] p. 50.2, Old Gallican
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.
Eleventh Station
Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
As they threw Jesus on the cross, he willingly allowed himself to be nailed. As they punctured his hands and his feet I felt the pain in my heart. Then they lifted up the cross. There he was, my son, whom I love so much, being scorned as he struggled for the last few moments of earthly life. But I knew this had to be, so I stood by and prayed silently.
Prayer:
Lord, what pain you endured for me. And what pain your mother went through, seeing her only son die for our salvation. Help me to appreciate the sacrifice you both made. Never let me take your love for granted or treat it lightly.
Ancient Collect:
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your hands on the cross and you redeemed us by your blood... by your holy cross bring us poor sinners where you brought the repentant thief. [140] p. 44.2, Ambrosian & [141] p. 45.3, Sarum Missal
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified:
Twelfth Station
Jesus Dies on the Cross
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
What greater pain is there for a mother than to see her son die right before her eyes! I, who had brought this savior into the world and watched him grow, stood helplessly beneath his cross as he lowered his head and died. His earthly anguish was finished, but mine was greater than ever. Yet, this had to be and I had to accept it, so I stood by and I mourned silently.
Prayer:
My Jesus, have mercy on me for what my sins have done to you and to others. I thank you for your great act of love. You have said that true love is laying down your life for your friends. Let me always be your friend. Teach me to live my life for others, and not fail you again.
Ancient Collect:
O God, for us you sent your only Son to endure the torture of the cross and defeat the power of the enemy... your passion may be our deliverance, and your death our life. [137] p. 43.3, Gregorian & [138] p. 43.4, Old Gallican
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.
Thirteenth Station
Jesus Is Taken From the Cross
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
The crowd had gone; the noise had stopped. I stood quietly with one of Jesus' friends and looked up at the dead body of our savior, my son. Then two men took the body from the cross and placed it in my arms. A deep sorrow engulfed my being. Yet, I also felt deep joy. Life had ended cruelly for my son, but it had also brought life to all of us. I knew this had to be, and I prayed silently.
Prayer:
Lord, your passion has ended. Yet, it still goes on whenever I choose sin over you. I have done my part in your crucifixion and now, my savior, I beg your forgiveness with all my heart. Help me to live a life worthy of you and your mother.
Ancient Collect:
By the shedding of the blood of Christ our Lord, peace has been established in heaven and earth... with the blood that poured from the side of the Savior, which gladdened heaven, purified earth, and terrified hell. [150] p. 48.2, Gallican Sacramentary
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live:
Fourteenth Station
Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb
℣. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
℟. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
We brought Jesus' body to a tomb and I arranged it there myself, silently weeping, silently rejoicing. I took one more look at my loving son, and then walked out. They closed the tomb and before I left, I thought, I knew this had to be... it had to be for you! I would wait in faith silently.
Prayer:
Yes, my Lord, this had to be because you love me, and for no other reason. All you ask is that I live a good life. You never said such a life would be easy. I am willing to leave sin behind and live for you alone, in my brothers and sisters.
Ancient Collect:
Today you were laid in the guarded tomb, and the saints burst open their tombs... that on the day of your resurrection we may joyfully receive your holy body. [151] p. 48.3, Mozarabic
[Pray the Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be prayers one time]
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
Stabat Mater
By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.
Closing Reflection
Ancient Collect:
As we bow down in reverence for your Passion, lift us up with the heavenly joys of your resurrection... Speak to us those sweet words, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.' [152] p. 49.1, Mozarabic & [148] p. 47.3, Sarum Missal
Closing Prayer
My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real and I feel so ashamed. I complain of my sufferings and find obedience to the Father's Will difficult. My Mind bogged down by the poverty, sickness, starvation, greed and hatred in the world.
There are many innocent people who suffer so unjustly. There are those born with physical and mental defects. Do we understand that You continue to carry Your cross in the minds and bodies of each human being?
Help me to see the Father's Will in every incident of my daily life. This is what You did - you saw the Father's Will in Your persecutors, Your enemies and your pain.
You saw a beauty in the Cross and embraced it as a desired treasure. My worldly mind is dulled by injustice and suffering and I lose sight of the glory that is to come. Help me to trust the Father and to realize that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering. There is Someone lifting my cross to fit my shoulders - there is Divine Wisdom in all the petty annoyances that irk my soul every day.
Teach me the lessons contained in my Cross, the wisdom of its necessity, the beauty of its variety and the fortitude that accompanies even the smallest cross. Mary, My Mother, obtain for me the grace to be Jesus to my neighbor and to see my neighbor in Jesus.
Remaining Verses of Stabat Mater
Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine;
Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine.
Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away;
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day.
Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
by Thy Mother my defense,
by Thy Cross my victory;
While my body here decays,
may my soul Thy goodness praise,
safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.
Stabat Mater Dolorosa
History and Spiritual Meaning
History
Stabat Mater Dolorosa is considered one of the seven greatest Latin hymns of all time. It is based upon the prophecy of Simeon that a sword was to pierce the heart of Our Lord's mother, Mary (Lk 2:35). The hymn title means "Stood the mother, full of grief." In Latin, the hymn consists of twenty couplets which describe the Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin at the Cross. The Stabat Mater's popularity is reflected by its use in the popular devotion of the Stations of the Cross.
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 Mary's 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.
The Stabat Mater was introduced into the Liturgy gradually until 1727 when it was prescribed as a Sequence for Mass of the Seven Sorrows of Mary on September 15 and on Friday before Holy Week, as well as their corresponding offices. The text of the Stabat Mater has been put to different music by various composers in endless variations.
Spiritual Meaning
Christians of the twentieth century can truly identify with Our Lady's 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 Mary's 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 Son's 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 community's 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.
