Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Hebrews 5.7-9

Christ Jesus, in the days of his flesh,
having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears
to him who was able to save him from death,
and having been heard for his godly fear,
Son though he was, still he learned obedience by what he suffered.
Having been made perfect,
he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation.

Responsorial – Psalm 31.2+3b, 3cd-4, 5-6, 15-16, 20 Resp. 17

R. Save me, O Lord, in your loving kindness.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness.
Rescue me speedily!

R. Save me, O Lord, in your loving kindness.

Be to me a strong rock,
a house of defense to save me.
For you are my rock and my fortress,
for your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

R. Save me, O Lord, in your loving kindness.

Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me,
for you are my stronghold.
Into your hand I commend my spirit.
You redeem me, O Lord, God of truth.

R. Save me, O Lord, in your loving kindness.

But I trust in you, O Lord.
I said, “You are my God.”
My fate is in your hand: deliver me
from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

R. Save me, O Lord, in your loving kindness.

How great is your goodness,
which you have laid up for those who fear you,
which you have, for those who take refuge in you,
worked before the sons of men!

R. Save me, O Lord, in your loving kindness.

Sequence – Stabat Mater Dolorosa

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 pass'd.

Oh, how sad and sore distress'd
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.

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelm'd 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?

Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd,
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 thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above;
Make my heart with thine accord.

Make me feel as thou hast 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 Saviour crucified.

Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourn'd 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.

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.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it hath swoon'd
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,
Be Thy Mother my defence,
Be Thy cross my victory.

While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.
Amen. Alleluia.

Gospel – John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother,
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
From that hour, the disciple took her into his own home.

Or Luke 2.33-35

Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things
which were spoken concerning him,
and Simeon blessed them,
and said to Mary, his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign which will be contradicted.
(Indeed, a sword will pierce through your own soul)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”