aeternus

I was searching for some poetry to meditate on our Lady of Sorrows today and found a wonderful book online from the Sisters of Mercy at St. Catharine’s Convent, New York City.  I’m not sure if they are still in New York or not but I thank them for their book entitled “Poems for Catholics & Convents: And Plays for Catholic Schools”  It was written in 1874 and they dedicated it “To the Service of the Poor, as it may be promoted by the protection, education and tender care of their defenceless children and young daughters these verses are affectionately inscribed by their devoted servants in Our Lord’s Love. … The Sisters of Mercy”

TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS.


MATER Dolorosa! be my Mother now,


In tears and sorrow at thy feet I humbly bow, 


And ask thine aid life’s every pang to bear


It is but meet that with thee I should share

They weight of woe.

Shield me! the tempest winds blow fierce and cold —


Save me! lest I should stray from His dear fold,


Where suffering borne for Him, with thee, is blest,


E’en though the heart must bleed, for me ’tis best.


Dost thou not know, 


Dost thou not see the struggle?

Stay the tears, 
Upholding, by the memory of the years 


In which thine eyes were dim, thy heart all sore,


For every thorn of His pierced thee still more — 


And led thee on, 


On to the heights where all His love was shed


For souls so wilful. When those words He said 


That made me even then, thine own, thy child,


Did’st thou not claim this heart, so proud and wild,


From Him, thy Son? 


Mother of Sorrows! claim me now, as then,


And take me to thy heart of hearts again, 


Do not reject these wandering words I pray —


Remember, that I must be thine to-day,


And thine alone. 


Sorrowing Heart! shed o’er my life thy grace


And welcome me in suffering’s fond embrace,


Bind to the Cross this shrinking soul and bless


The heart that thirsts for love and tenderness, 


Beneath thy throne.

–Poems for Catholics & Convents: And Plays for Catholic Schools By M. A., Sisters of Mercy, St. Catharine’s Convent (New York, N.Y.). Published by New York Catholic Protectory, 1874

– Image: MATER DOLOROSA  Seated, dressed figure of the Virgin Mary in a vitrine  Spanish, 19^th Century