Because She Said Yes

"Then Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord;

let it be done to me according to what you have said.

And the angel left her."

Luke 1:38

The Annunciation

Michiel Coxie

(1580's)

"And a sword will pierce through your own soul also,

that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts

may be brought out and disclosed."

Luke 2:35

The Presentation At The Temple

Giovanni Bellini

(1460)

At the cross, her station keeping

Stood the mournful mother weeping,

Where He hung, the dying Lord;

For her soul of joy bereaved.

Bowed with anguish, deeply grieved,

Felt the sharp and piercing sword.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed

Now was she, that mother blessed

Of the sole begotten One;

Deep the woe of her affliction

When she saw the crucifixion

Of her ever glorious Son.

Pieta

Gustave Moreau

(1854)

Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing

Pierced by anguish so amazing

Born of woman, would not weep?

Who, on Christ's dear mother thinking

Such a cup of sorrow drinking

Would not share her sorrows deep?

For His people's sins chastised,

She beheld her Son despised,

Scourged and crowned with thorns entwined;

Saw Him then from judgment taken,

And in death by all forsaken,

Till His Spirit He resigned.

Jesu, may her deep devotion

Stir in me the same emotion,

Fount of love, Redeemer kind,

That my heart fresh ardor gaining,

And purer love attaining,

May with Thee acceptance find.

"At The Cross Her Station Keeping"

Translated from Latin to English

By Edward Caswell 

(1814-1878)

and the compilers of

"Hymns Ancient and Modern"

Music by John B. Dykes

(1823-1876)