Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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STABAT MATER

A hymn, "At the Cross her station keeping . . ." commonly attributed to Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306), Franciscan poet. It gradually came into liturgical use by the late Middle Ages and since 1727 has been part of the Eucharistic liturgy and Divine Office for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Its history in music dates largely from modern times. Another hymn, Stabat Mater Speciosa, apparently modeled on Stabat Mater Dolorosa, describing Mary's sorrows at Bethlehem, but it has nver become part of the liturgy.