Mater Dolorosa/At the Cross Her Station Keeping cover

OCTAVO SPOTLIGHT

Mater Dolorosa/At the Cross Her Station Keeping
Ricky Manalo

Fr. Manalo has paired Caswall’s translation of the Stabat mater dolorosa for the verses text with an original refrain. Instead of dwelling on the mournful nature of the lyrics, this piece uses the major mode, a swaying 3/4 meter, and the final tag in the refrain “Lead us to Christ, our Light” to create a gentle, hopeful musical affect—illuminating not only Mary’s role as the first disciple but the redemptive possibility found even in suffering. While most fitting for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), it is commonly sung during the Stations of the Cross and throughout the season of Lent. It is scored for SATB choir with descant, keyboard, guitar, and two solo instruments in C.

Learn More  More Octavos

What People Are Saying

Spirit & Psalm 2026

RESOURCE FEATURE

Spirit & Psalm 2026

A complete contemporary psalter, Spirit & Psalm is ideal for music directors and musicians looking to add more contemporary sounding psalmody to their liturgies. These high-quality psalm settings provide an opportunity for parishes to sing the verbatim texts from the Lectionary for Sundays and holy days in a new, modern style.

Learn More