"Stabat Mater" in Song

Rogier van der Weyden (1399/1400–1464)

On Friday of Passion week in the Extraordinary Form calendar of the Roman Rite is the feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast is very dear to our Sisters, and one of our favorite prayers from this day’s liturgy is the beautiful sequence, the Stabat Mater. It is a prayer we pray with in many devotional ways throughout Lent, especially in song.

Many of us grew up singing the melody of the Gregorian simple tone version at parish Stations of the Cross or Masses. It remains dear to all of us!

Occasionally we have the privilege of singing the full Gregorian sequence composed for the Feast. It’s melodies are more varied and solemn, maturing the sentiments of sorrow, contrition, and compassion in the Latin poem that were introduced by the simple tone.

Some of our Sisters learned the first movement of Giovanni Baptista Pergolesi’s magnificent setting of the Stabat Mater. In their entrances, the two voices imitate and develop the tensions and resolutions of the instrumental introduction. This arrangement is a poignant reminder of the pain and consolation our Lord and Lady shared at the Cross on Calvary.

The newest musical setting our Sisters learned was recommended to us by a dear friend of the Community. The melody is Polish, originating there sometime between 1400-1600 A.D. Our arrangement is closely modeled after that of the Polish musicologist, Dr. Bartosz Izbicki. This simple but lovely tune is reminiscent of the simplicity of the Gregorian simple tone chant, where for many of us our love for our Lady in her Sorrows all began.

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​Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and teach us to stand with you at the foot of the Cross of your Divine Son, Jesus Christ!