O gentle, chaste, and spotless Maid,
We sinners make our prayers through thee;
Remind Thy Son that he has paid
The price of our iniquity.
Virgin most pure, Star of the Sea.
Pray for the sinner, pray for me.
Sojourners in this vale of tears,
To Thee, blest Advocate, we cry,
Pity our sorrows, calm our fears,
And soothe with hope our misery.
Refuge in grief, Star of the sea,
Pray for the mourner, pray for me.
And while to Him who reigns above,
In Godhead One, in Persons Three,
The Source of life, of grace, of love,
Homage we pay on bended knee;
Do thou, bright Queen, Star of the sea,
Pray for thy children, pray for me.
Plunged in grief the Mother stood,
Weeping where the crimson'd wood
Held on high her dying Son.
Through her soul, whose moanings low,
Told how grievous was her woe,
Sorrow like a sword had gone.
Oh, how sad, how sorrow-laden
Stood the meek and blessed maiden,
God's true Mother undefiled!
Trembling, weeping, whelmed in woes,
Witnessing the dying throes
Of her own immortal child!
Who is he who would not weep,
Could he know what anguish deep
Pierced the Mother of our Lord?
Who from sorrow could refrain
Gazing on that Mother's pain,
Weeping with her Son adored?
She beheld the torments sore
He for His own people bore,
Bowed beneath that scourging dread.
She beheld her only-born
Death-struck, utterly forlorn
When His parting spirit fled.
Come, O Mother, love's sweet spring, Let me share thy sorrowing,
Let my tears unite with thine.
Let my heart be all on fire
Still to seek with fond desire,
Christ, my God, my Love divine.
Holy Mother, this impart,
Deeply print upon my heart
All the wounds my Saviour bore.
Let me share His pains with thee,
Who so tenderly for me
Deigned His sacred Blood to pour.
Let our tears in mingling tide
Flow for Jesus crucified,
Till life cease within my breast.
By the Cross to take my station,
Sharing thy sweet lamentation,
This is my most fond request.
Holiest of the virgin train,
Do not thou my prayer
Come and share thy griefs with me.
Let me trace His sufferings o'er,
Bear the very death He bore,
When they nailed Him to the tree.
Feel His wounds within my heart,
In His chalice take my part,
All for love of thy dear Son.
Wrapt in flames of love divine,
Keep me still, O Mother mine,
When the judgment day draws on.
May His Cross be my defence,
And His death my confidence,
Nursed by His sweet charity.
Lord, when these my days are done,
Let thy Mother lead me on
To the palm of victory.
When this mortal body dies,
May my soul to heaven uprise
Glorified and blest for Thee.
The Image of Mary our Queen.
AS SUNG BEFORE A STATUE OF OUR BLESSED LADY.
When this Hymn is used during the Month of May, omit the line in brackets in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd verses, and insert instead,
"In this thy own sweet month of May."
This is the image of our Queen
Who reigns in bliss above;
Of her who is the hope of men,
Whom men and angels love!
Most holy Mary! at thy feet
I bend a suppliant knee;
[In all my joy, in all my pain,]
Pray thou to God! for me.
The sacred homage that we pay
To Mary's image here,
To Mary's self, then on to God
Ascends the starry sphere.
Most holy Mary! at thy feet
I bend a suppliant knee;
[In my temptations, each and all,]
Pray thou to God! for me.
Sweet are the flowers we have cull'd
This image to adorn;
But sweeter far is Mary's self,
That rose without a thorn!
Most holy Mary at thy feet
I bend a suppliant knee;
[When on the bed of death I lic,]
Pray thou to God! for me.
O Lady, by the stars that make
A glory round thy head,
And by thy pure uplifted hands,
That for thy children plead;
When at the judgment-seat I stand,
And my dread Saviour see;
When hell is raging for my soul,
Pray thou to God! for me.
Happy we who thus united.
HYMN OF THE HOLY FAMILY.
Happy we who thus united
Join in cheerful melody,
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