Holy Saturday

1. Holy Saturday Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

2. Translation of the Gregorian melodies heard with this slide show O vos omnes O you who pass along the way, stop and behold: is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? V. O peoples of the universe, stop and behold my sorrow! Ecce quomodo This is how the Just One dies, and nobody’s heart is moved. Just men are taken away and nobody is bothered. The Just One is taken up from this world of iniquity, and His memory rests in peace. V. Like a lamb before the shearer, He is mute and opens not His mouth. He has been lifted up from anguish and injustice. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

3. Let us move closer to his tomb and revere, us also, the cold body of the Son of God. Now we understand the results of sin. « It is through sin that death came into the world and death spread to all men. » Jesus, « who knew no sin», nevertheless allowed death to exercise its dominion on him, because He wanted to lessen its dreadfulness on us. Let us adore with all our gratitude this last annihilation of the Son of God. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

4. Our Pastor, a source of living water, has gone. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine ?

5. Let us now descend to Jerusalem. Humbly let us go and visit the Mother of sorrows. Night has passed also on her afflicted heart; frightful scenes of the past day have harassed her memory unceasingly. The son of her tenderness has been trodden underfoot; she saw floods of his blood flowing; and now he is laying in the tomb, like the least of mortals! The other women dear to the heart of Jesus, who have defied the Jews and the soldiers in order to assist him till the end, discretely surround the inconsolable Mother. Holy Saturday, Sublime Day! In the midst of so many sorrows, this day comes and adds to the greatness of Mary! For ever, the Holy Church keeps memory of this Day; this is why, wanting to consecrate a special day each week to her great Queen, she has dedicated to Her for ever, each Saturday. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

6. Stabat Mater At the Cross, the sorrowful Mother was standing... Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

7. At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus at the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed. O how sad and sore distressed 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 a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

8. 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? For the sins of His own nation, She saw Jesus wracked with torment, All with scourges rent: She beheld her tender Child, 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 Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

9. Make me feel as thou hast felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ my Lord. Holy Mother! Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior 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 Mourned for me, all the days that I have lived. By the Cross with Thee to stay, there with Thee to weep and pray, is all I ask of Thee to give. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? Virgin of all virgins blest!, Listen to my fond request: Let me share thy grief divine.

10. 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 in hath swooned, in His very Blood away. Is the a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

11. O Mother, source of tenderness! Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

12. My eyes are consumed with tears. I am stirred to the depths of my soul. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

13. O Jesus, how your inclined head on the Cross, your outstretched hands, and your open side breathe love! Son of God come to redeem those who were lost, do not condemn those you have bought. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

14. O good Jesus, listen to the sighs of those who cry unto you! Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

15. Do not consider the mass of their sins : it is your wounded Heart that we pray, O merciful God! Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? Angel holding the crown of thorns.

16. O Mother, you were present during the torment, filled with sorrow and drinking in bitterness. But your heart was strong and did not give in even as your Son, high on the Cross, gave out a great cry. Your Son hanging before you on the Cross, His body torn by flagellation, your Son pierced with big wounds… Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? Angel with the lance

17. Alas ! The spitting, the slaps, the blows, the wounds, the nails, the Gall, ,the absinth, the sponge, the lance, the thirst, the thorns, the flowing blood Each of these things must have cruelly oppressed your tender heart! Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? Angel at the Calvary

18. Nevertheless, the Virgin stands straight, more generous than any martyr, by an incredible prodigy. O Mother, you die without dying as all these sorrows crucify you. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? Angel brandishing the nails And holding the coat

19. Glory, praise, Honour to the all-mighty Trinity, to whom I humbly ask With incessant prayer, that I might imitate the strength of soul of the Virgin, by my courage in adversity. Amen. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? Angel at the pillar

20. Today, there is a great silence on earth; A great silence and then stillness. Great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still, because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

21. From an ancient Homily for the Grand and Holy Saturday He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Yes, He has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, He who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the Cross, the weapon that had won Him the victory. At the sight of Him, Adam, the first man He had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: «  My Lord be with you all! » And Christ answered to Adam: «  And with your Spirit. » He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: «  Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. » Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

22. Thehomily continued… I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage: Come forth! All who are in darkness: Be enlightened! All who are sleeping: Arise! I order you, O sleeper: Awake! I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell: Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands; rise up, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I in you. See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image.

23. Continued… On my back see the marks of the scourging to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree. I slept on the Cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

24. Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine?

25. Chant : The monks of the Abbaye de Saint- Pierre de Solesmes and pictures of the statues in their church Commentaries : The Liturgical Year by Dom Prosper Guéranger Abbot of Solesmes Texts : Liturgy of the Hours for Holy Saturday Is there a sorrow as sorrowful as mine? Montage : The Benedictine moniales of the Abbaye Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes ( Canada ) www.sm2m.ca info@sm2m.ca 2007