SEQUENCE [Catholic Weekday Missal: Memorial Our Lady of Sorrows]

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.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed

was that Mother highly blessed

of the sole-begotten One.

Christ above in torments hangs;

she beneath beholds the pangs

of her dying glorious Son.

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?

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.

O you Mother, fount of love!

Touch my spirit from above,

make my heart with yours accord:

make me feel as you have felt;

make my soul to glow and melt

with the love of Christ our Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through;

in my heart each wound renew

of my Savior crucified:

let me share with you his pain

who for all my sins was slain,

who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you,

mourning him who mourned for me

all the days that i may live:

by the cross with you to stay,

there with you to weep and pray,

is all i ask of you to give.

Virgin of all virgins best,

listen to my fond request:

let me share your grief divine;

let me, to my latest breath,

in my body bear the death

of that dying Son of yours.

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 judgement day.

Christ, when you shall call me hence,

be your Mother my defence,

be your cross my victory.

While my body here decays,

may my soul your goodness praise,

safe in paradise with you.

[Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus; Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. AMEN.]