The Society of Stabat Mater (1) stands at the foot of the cross together with the Mother of the Redeemer-pure, poor and faithful-immersed in contemplation and adoration of the Divine Immolated Lamb (Jn. 19:37). In union with Mary, who pondered all these mysteries in her Maternal Heart, the Society stands in silence, listening to the WORD, ready to obey.

    In the maternal compassion of the pierced Heart of Mary, (Lk 2:35) and joined in her mission, the Society desires to satiate the Divine "thirst" of the Lamb (Jn 19:28) ; they offer themselves as a holy and pure sacrifice to the Father for the salvation and sanctification of priests and religious, of families and of the spiritually poorest of the poor, that is, for the lambs who are lost and have gone astray. The members of the Society desire to share fully in the common priesthood of all the Faithful by uniting themselves with Jesus, priest and victim, in His act of oblation as the spotless Lamb offered to His beloved Father.

    The New Evangelization's exhortation of "Duc In Altum" (2) manifests itself in prayer and sacrifice, which like a fishing net is cast out to save poor sinners who, sinking into the depths, are in most need of the mercy flowing from the pierced Hearts of the Lamb and His Mother.

     

   

    PURPOSE AND MISSION

    The purpose and mission of the Society of Stabat Mater is to advance the Catholic Faith, to help its members offer themselves as a pure and holy sacrifice to the Father in union with Jesus Christ who, in His Passion, fulfilled His mission "to serve and give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45). The Society will fulfill its purpose and accomplish its mission in the following ways:

        1. By offering prayer and sacrifice for priests and religious.

        2. By promoting marriage and family life as set forth in the teachings of the Catholic Faith.

        3. To instill a greater appreciation for the Liturgy of the Hours and to spread its recitation among the whole people of God.

        4. By forming a fishing net of prayer and sacrifice cast out for the salvation of poor sinners most in need of Divine Mercy.

        5. By fostering the development of a new religious community of Catholic women called the Handmaids of the Lamb which will embody and live out in an exemplary way these ideals of the Society of Stabat Mater.

   

    THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

    1. A LITURGICAL SPIRITUALITY

    The members of the Society recognize the entire Liturgy as the "origin and summit" of their lives; they strive to lead a life permeated with the rhythm of the Sacred Liturgy in keeping with their state in life. This is their path to holiness and strength for the apostolate.

    In his Apostolic letter "Spiritus Et Sponsa" Pope John Paul II affirms, "It is in the Liturgy that the Church, enlivened by the breath of the Spirit, lives her mission as 'sacrament- a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all men' (3) , and finds the most exalted expression of her mystical reality. In the Lord Jesus and in His Spirit the whole of Christian existence becomes a 'living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God', genuine 'spiritual worship' (Rom 12:1)." (4)

    2. THE PASSION OF THE LORD

    During His passion Jesus revealed His greatest love for us. Therefore, the Society cultivates a special devotion to the paschal mystery. This finds its expression in the weekly celebration of the Passio Domini . (5) The members of the Society, in union with Mary, accompany the Lamb during the hours of His passion. Sharing her sentiments and joining in her prayerful intercession they offer up with her and Jesus that holy oblation to the Father.

    3. MARIAN DIMENSION

    The members of the Society venerate Mary as their Mother, "Behold, your Mother!" (Jn. 19:27) and strive to give themselves wholly to Mary as her dear children by an act of total consecration. They also feel the call to share in her Motherhood. The liturgical hymn, "Stabat Mater", embodies most perfectly this dimension of sharing in the Maternity of Mary. With Mary, the Society members hear the Word of Jesus, "Behold, your Son!"(Jn.19:26) and in union with Mary take priests and religious into their own hearts and become spiritual mothers to them and to the entire Mystical Body of Christ (Gal. 4:19).

    4. DEVOTION, IMITATION AND COLLABORATION WITH THE HOLY ANGELS

    The Society of Stabat Mater is characterized by a singular love for the Guardian Angel and for all the Holy Angels, to whom the members are consecrated.

    The members of the Society desire to live consciously the communion of saints in this life, in particular with their Guardian Angel and all the Holy Angels. Together with the angels and with their help, they want to adore God, to lovingly study and ponder the Word of God, to offer themselves in a spirit of expiation for the restoration of all things in Christ (Col 1:24), and to be "guardian angels" in their apostolate, serving their brothers and sisters. This loving bond with the Holy Angels is lived in the way of spiritual childhood under the maternal protection and guidance of Mary our Mother.

    5. SPIRITUAL CHILDHOOD

    Spiritual childhood is the only way to heaven: "Unless you acquire the heart of a child you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven ." (6) Humble love alone makes us pleasing to the good God. This love is the only good to which the members of the Society aspire. The only path that leads to such ardent love is the abandon of a small child that rests without fear in the arms of its Father.

    "In spiritual childhood is the secret of sanctity for all the faithful of the Catholic World." (7)

    "If the way of spiritual childhood became general, who does not see how easily would be realized the reformation of human society." (8)

   
    RULE OF LIFE

    Except as provided otherwise in this description, the Society will be guided by the Rule of Saint Augustine and pattern its governmental structure on that of the Third Order of Saint Dominic.

     

    MEMBERSHIP

    Membership in the Society of Stabat Mater is open to men and women, young and old, who desire to live out in their particular state of life the charism of the Society in association with the Handmaids of the Lamb.

     

    DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS

    In accord with ones state in life and daily duties:

        1.Drawing always nearer to Jesus in His Sacrament of Love through frequent attendance at Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.

        2. Frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance.

        3.The praying of Sunday Evening Vespers from the Liturgy of the Hours.

        4. Weekly remembrance of the Passio Domini.

        5. Consecration to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

        6.Consecration to the Guardian Angel and all the Holy Angels.

        7.Daily recitation of at least five decades of the Holy Rosary.

   

    Footnotes

    1. Latin for Mary standing at the foot of the Cross. These are the first words of Stabat Mater , the hymn for the Feast of the Sorrowful Mother, commemorating her association with Christ in the work of Redemption.

    2. John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte , No. 1.

    3. Lumen Gentium, n. 1.

    4. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Spiritus Et Sponsa , Dec. 4, 2003, #16.

    5. The Passion of the Lord-Thursday, 9:00 PM to Friday at 3:00 PM.

    6. Liturgy of the Hours Tuesday Vespers, Wk III, Ant. 2.

    7. Allocution by Pope Benedict XV, Aug. 14, 1921.

    8. Homily of Pope Pius XI, May 17, 1925.

   

     

    Contact information:

    The Society of Stabat Mater

    365 Hill City Road

    Cranberry PA 16319

    814-676-1910 or 1-877-744-5487

    For more information email Susan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it