Hauntingly Beautiful - Just before the Fire - Last Hymn Sung in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris - "Stabat Mater"


KTO Television captured the video (below) of this last hymn sung in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France, just before it burned down. Here the choir sings the "Stabat Mater" about Our Lady standing at the foot of the Cross watching Jesus die. Music by Jean-Charles Gandrille. Full lyrics below in Latin with English translation:
1. Stabat Mater dolorosa iuxta crucem lacrimosa dum pendebat Filius
The grieving Mother stood weeping beside the cross where her Son was hanging

2. Cuius animam gementem contristatam et dolentem pertransivit gladius
Through her weeping soul, compassionate and grieving, a sword passed.

3. O quam tristis et afflicta fuit illa benedicta Mater Unigeniti
O how sad and afflicted was that blessed Mother of the Only-begotten!

4. Quae moerebat et dolebat et tremebat cum videbat nati poenas incliti
Who mourned and grieved and trembled looking at the torment of her glorious Child

5. Quis est homo qui non fleret Matri Christi si videret in tanto supplicio?
Who is the person who would not weep seeing the Mother of Christ in such agony?

6. Quis non posset contristari Matrem Christi contemplari dolentum cum filio?
Who would not be able to feel compassion on beholding Christ’s Mother suffering with her Son?

7. Pro peccatis suae gentis vidit Iesum in tormentis et flagellis subditum
For the sins of his people she saw Jesus in torment and subjected to the scourge.

8. Vidit suum dulcem natum moriendo desolatum dum emisit spiritum
She saw her sweet offspring dying, forsaken, while He gave up his spirit

9. Eia Mater, fons amoris, me sentire vim doloris fac ut tecum lugeam
O Mother, fountain of love, make me feel the power of sorrow, that I may grieve with you

10. Fac ut ardeat cor meum in amando Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam
Grant that my heart may burn in the love of Christ my Lord, that I may greatly please Him

11. Sancta Mater, istud agas, crucifixi fige plagas cordi meo valide
Holy Mother, grant that the wounds of the Crucified drive deep into my heart.

12. Tui nati vulnerati tam dignati pro me pati poenas mecum divide
That of your wounded Son, who so deigned to suffer for me, I may share the pain

13. Fac me vere tecum flere crucifixo condolere donec ego vixero
Let me sincerely weep with you, bemoan the Crucified, for as long as I live

14. Iuxta crucem tecum stare et me tibi sociare in planctu desidero
To stand beside the cross with you, and gladly share the weeping, this I desire

15. Virgo virginum praeclara mihi iam non sis amara fac me tecum plangere
Chosen Virgin of virgins, be not bitter with me, let me weep with thee

16. Fac ut portem Christi mortem passionis fac consortem et plagas recolere
Grant that I may bear the death of Christ, share his Passion, and commemorate His wounds

17. Fac me plagis vulnerari fac me cruce inebriari et cruore filii
Let me be wounded with his wounds, let me be inebriated by the cross and your Son’s blood

18. Flammis ne urar succensus, per te, Virgo, sim defensus in die iudicii
Lest I burn, set afire by flames, Virgin, may I be defended by you, on the day of judgement

19. Christe cum sit hinc exire da per matrem me venire ad palmam vicoriae
Christ, when it is time to pass away, grant that through your Mother I may come to the palm of victory

20. Quando corpus morietur fac ut animae donetur paradisi gloria. Amen
When my body dies, grant that to my soul is given the glory of paradise. Amen
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Beautiful~
Lord, have mercy on us and the whole world.
Very onterintere that this was the last hymn sung in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. Forgive us..heal us. We love you and your Son. We need you. AMEN
Elia said…
I was following this service big lost hope to see activities very soon God be with us to rebuild The church again
Nellie Edwards said…
Thank you for the opportunity to 'be there' for the last Mass before the fire. While I prefer the TLM, this was very beautiful...so reverent! Choir - Magnificent! Happy to see the priests accommodating those who knelt to receive our Lord. The only negative comment I have is about the N.O. altar. While I know it suffices, it really doesn't fit, aesthetically speaking. Maybe that will be realized before the 'next' Mass. May "Notre Dame" see to it that the renovation is done faithfully!
Clare said…
Some reported that the fire was going on while the Mass ended. Hard to believe no-one smelled anything. Still I have my doubts about the cause,875 Churches in France were violated last yr alone. May we all ask For God's Blessings during this very special time of yr.
Pilgrim Padre said…
Hi, this is beautiful. As a priest, I want to point out that this is the mass of Palm Sunday. The red vestments are the giveaway. If it was mass on Monday of Holy Week, the vestments would have been purple. Peace.