Rediscover a Traditional Catholic Lenten Hymn

Anyone who attends Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent is probably very familiar with the hymn Stabat Mater, one stanza of which is customarily sung after each station. The Stabat Mater is one hymn that I think almost any Catholic can sing with confidence; I have noticed that even the stereotypical non-singing Catholic congregation belts the Stabat Mater with gusto! 

Fairly recently, I came across the fascinating "Ultimate Stabat Mater Website." The website, created by Hannie van Osnabrugge, includes recordings of probably every recorded composition of the Stabat Mater (which adds up to a lot!), as well as several different English translations of the Latin text. The website includes a page for each setting of the Stabat Mater, which gives a brief description of the piece, a summary of the composer's life, and, often, a recording. It is amazing to see how many have been struck by this text; even many who are not Catholic, or even Christian, are incredibly moved and captivated by the text that describes Our Lady at the foot of the Cross. 

Readers may be surprised to learn how many composers have set the Stabat Mater to music. We are used to singing the very simple Gregorian melody at Stations of the Cross, but the depth and drama of the text have inspired compositions in many different styles. 

As we approach passiontide, I highly recommend the often underrated Stabat Mater text as a meditation. Praying this text will help us grow closer to Our Lady, while also meditating on the Passon of her Son, which she took so great a part in. Some English translations of the text may seem a little over sentamentalized, but the different translations available on the "Ultimate Stabat Mater Website" will give those not fluent in Latin an idea of the deep beauty of the text. The music that composers have set the text to is a sort of interpretation of the text as well, and just sitting and listening to an entire recording of any one of the settings is a deeply moving experience. The compositions are of all different lengths, Dvorjak's, at 86 minutes, being the longest. While most of them are very beautiful, I can't help but especially recommend the settings by Anerio, Domenico Scarlatti, Orlando di Lasso, Alfeyev, and Josquin des Prez. But, admittedly, I have not listened to all of them (not by a long shot), so I have yet to discover other gems that are in the collection! 

Hannie van Osnabrugge also wrote a book about the Stabat Mater, its history, and aritstic influences. The book, originally written in Dutch, is set to be released in its English translation this month. 

For each remaining day of Lent, consider taking time to stop, sit down, and spend time listening to one composer's setting of the Stabat Mater, while meditating on Our Lady's Sorrows.