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My Life In Prayer
Complete Prayer Book
STABAT MATER.
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STABAT MATER.
Composed by Jacopone da Todi, who died 1306
1. 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.
2. Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole begotten One!
Christ above in torment hangs;
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.
3. Is there one who would not weep
'Whelmed in miseries so deep
Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,—
In that Mother's pain untold?
4. Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent:
For the sins of His own nation
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.
5. O thou Mother, fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord;
Make me feel as thou has felt,
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.
6. Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.
Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.
7. Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him Who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live;
By the Cross with thee to stay,
There with thee to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of Thee to give.
8. Virgin of all virgins best!
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.
9. Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned,
In His very Blood away;
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die
In His awful judgment day.
10. 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.
*Seven years' indulgence. (No. 344)
The Plenary Indulgence for the hour of death attached to a Crucifix may be gained, without the assistance of a Priest, under the following conditions:
1. The reception of the Sacraments. If unable to receive them, the dying person must be contrite for all sins committed.
2. The Holy name of Jesus must be pronounced orally, if possible, or else at least in one's heart.
3. The Crucifix must be near the dying, or at least be near the bed, although it is not necessary that he sees it, when there is a question of Papal indulgences. But the so-called Crucifixes for the dying must be either kissed or touched by the dying.
4. Death must be accepted with resignation to the holy will of God.
The Redemptorist Fathers have the faculty to indulgence Crucifixes for the above-mentioned purposes and attach the Plenary Indulgence for the hour of death. This indulgence remains even though the Crucifix passes over into the possession of another, or is used by another, and can be gained by anyone who uses the Crucifix, no matter, whether he is the owner or not
The most important condition for gaining any indulgence, whether partial or plenary, is to have a true hatred of all sins, even venial sin.
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