St. John Cantius Parish

Stations of the Cross with the “Stabat Mater” of Pergolesi

Details:

Mar. 5, 7:30 pm

Join the parishioners and friends of St. John Cantius for the Stations of the Cross recited in English. Prayer booklets will be provided to all. Confessions will begin at 7:15 pm after the priests and brothers sing Compline (Night Prayer). Confessions will also be heard during the Stations of Cross.

A Lenten Sermon will be given after the Stations of the Cross and will be concluded by Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Click here to learn more about the Stations of the Cross.

The Stations of the Cross will be beautified by the lovely setting of the Marian Lenten Hymn, the "Stabat Mater," composed by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736).

Stabat mater
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)

Stephanie Sheffield and Michelle Mitsui, Soloists

Translation:

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 depths 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.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine

Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.

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 awe-full judgment day.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.

While my body here decays
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally. Amen