The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-10-12
The "Stabat Mater"


The "stabat Mater"
The following criticism of one Of those
hymns which are the peculiar glory of
the Catholic Church, ia taken from an
article in the current number of the Mac.
milan, and will afford pleasure and salts |
faction to all Catholics:
Amongst the mass of medieval hymns,
the {" Sabat Mater" stands forth pronii-
nently. Nothing can surpass the touching
of the Evaugelists words, snow
there stood by the cross of Jesus His Mo.
ther," but no pharaphrase can excel that
Of the author OF the well-known Sequence.
No man has ever interpreted the sorrows
Of tho Mater Dolorosa and sympathized
with her in her affection as the Benedictine
monk OF the thirteenth century. The most
rigid adherent Of that most uupoetical form
Of religion, Professionalism, who has not
words enough to denounce the Church Of
Rome, which no is pleased to. call " the
Mother Of abominatioD," foIgets for . mo-
ment that he Is listening to hymn which
forms port of the 'sOfdcium VII. Dolornm,n
and yields involunta.ily to its softening
barian II he does not. How beautiful are
the verses with WHICH the hymn opens
The painful drams OF Calvary is described
In sad and solemn words. iseeems at first
az IL the poet cannot find language to ex-
Dante describes the unfortunate who for
very weeping can weep no more the Vir-
ain Mother stands at the foot of the cross
Ia silent grief But the spectacle of her
grief overw helms the poet ere long, and he
bursts Out, O qaam tristis ct afiicta, fuit,
lila Benedfcta, Mater unigenite." Once
more the poem assumes dramatic form
but the poet feels oyerpowered by his emo
tions. /" Eta Mater fOns afhoria." He 10
no iungera mere narrator, he Is not satis-
fed with being an idle spectator, he longs
to bear part OF the burden that SO cruelty
Expresses her. Others may shrink from
suffering, but he longs for it with unutter-
able yearnings. His eyes I'LL with tears,
his heart is weli-nigh breaking at the
thought of it, and his pale Lips put perth
Ia passionate prayer "Sancta Mater istud
agas,, crScia1i fge plagas cordi meo va
gerated poetical expression he desires
above ali things to bear literally in his
body the "stigmata Of our Lord" And
therefore the petition occurs once more
at the end of the hymn. The prayer is no
more interrupted as it was &C first the
agonized soul standing, OF rather kneeling
at the foot of the cross, gives vent to the
passion of alteration, that consumes it aud
ae the poem closes We seem to see bent
form refusing to be lifted, and to catch the
echo Of a voice going forth in endless sup
piication. No wonder that this poem be-
came soou after IL was written one of the
fayorite songs Of the people. Its author
| belonged to the world the hill on which
| it dwet was the centre Of the moral uni
verse the emotions which 1t described
wei Q common to humanity. The cry of
agony OF the pious monk pierced through
the walls of his narrow cell, and found q
| response amongst the masses of Italy and
Germany. The Albasi of Italy and the
Fiagellentes Of Germany revelled at his
most eloquent dedication Of suffering. As
they went on their long pilgrimages as
they knelt at the shrines of the Virgin Mo.
Their, or paused on the way before some
crucifx once erected by pious hands, they
Gang with trembling voice the hymn of the
Mater Dolorosa, And no doubt the tears
streamed down many face, and many q
heard throbbed vioIently-for there were
few in that multitQde who had not to
mourn over the loss Of some one near and
6ear--as the melancholy chant drew to q
close. Bnt IL any thing could have oonsOled
the@ it woQld have been the thought
l. OF that " Mater Dolorosa fons amOris u
who had saRered moro than anyone
else, and therefore krew what suffering
was. and whose arms were alwAys open
to receive heg weary children on her b0-
| aom that they might 6nd comfort and rect,
The foundations Of this hymn are numeE-
ogs. Bot q TRANSLATION il generally ma
citation. Is is certain that NO translakiOn
fcan give 40 idea Of the original. These
| reTsNs EeOntnt canuot be rendered one for
| gets all about the cnri0Us Latin In which
they were written or about the peculiar
expressions which they contain. There isa
kcertain m0nOtony and melancholy about the
rhythm in keeping with the theme. Its very
form impresseS you ss # you were listen
ing to a mOurnful minor; It is alt through
out ono great cry ofgrief.
A mamma In tue rural district lately
ua va her Il "a year old hODefuL an outfit of