A reflection on Christ’s Passion through His mother’s eyes
The Notre Dame Magnificat Choir performed Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi penned this stunning composition to the classic 13th century hymn in 1736 on his deathbed. A hauntingly beautiful piece, this series of twelve movements follows a classic baroque style, giving an emotional account of Christ’s Passion through the suffering of his mother, who stood at the foot of the cross.
Featuring classical soloists Elizabeth Scheicher and Eleni Taluzek, and accompanied by a 13-piece orchestra, the choir stayed true to the piece’s baroque style—including instruments such as an organ, harpsichord, and even a theorbo, a large lute with a bass extension. By partnering dramatic dynamics with a pure and unified tone, the choir beautifully conveyed the grief Mary felt at the foot of the cross, while also calling for the audience to be united as a community in solidarity with the poor.
The performance was dedicated to the Catholic Worker Movement (CWM), an organization centered on helping those in need, which takes as their model the willing suffering of Christ and Mary. At the performance, the choir collected donations for Our Lady of the Road (OLR), a CWM establishment that provides food and shelter to the underserved in the South Bend community, with hopes to contribute tangibly to the Catholic Worker spirit through both prayer and service.
Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater has been sung by women’s choirs world-wide. Magnificat president and soprano Dana Mays said the piece “aligns with [the choir’s] mission of uplifting women’s voices in song, and it has the beautiful message of reflecting on the Passion through Mary’s eyes. Our namesake is Mary’s Magnificat, which is her accepting God’s call for her.”
Magnificat Choir Director Patrick Kronner reflected on the opening phrase Stabat Mater Dolorosa: “The grieving mother stood,” he translated. “Mary boldly stood at the foot of the cross and looked directly at her son’s suffering and did not avert her eyes. By spending an hour with Mary at the foot of the cross, we pray that we might all be emboldened to embody her example and not turn away from the suffering and injustices around us today,” Kronner said.
Along with the twelve movements of the Stabat Mater, the choir and soloists sang each movement in tandem with reflections, sacred poetry, and prayers about each Station of the Cross. Students, current choir members, and Master of Fine Arts members (MFA) each gave a reflection to incorporate prayer in the experience. In addition to various poetic accounts from moments of the passion, many reflections were inspired by CWM founder Dorothy Day, who emphasized the obligations of fostering love in a community.
Sophomore Kali Stalboerger told the Rover, “The Stabat Mater concert was a fantastic way to begin Holy Week! The music helped me to meditate on the Stations of the Cross by uniting myself with Mary and imagining her grief as she watched her only Son suffer and die. I was also very moved by the reflections, which offered concrete ways to put into practice our universal call to share in Christ’s Passion.”
At the conclusion of the concert, the choir asked the audience not to applaud but rather to sit in prayerful silence and reflection. Departing while singing a taizé hymn, the audience left in a somber and prayerful state for the start of Holy Week.
Abigail Smith is a sophomore Program of Liberal Studies, theology, and classical linguistics major. Having just entered the Church last year, she is excited to actively receive all the graces of Holy Week with her family. When she is not singing with the Liturgical Choir, Abby enjoys spending time with her friends and currently watching Blue Bloods with her brothers. Contact her at asmith78@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Peter Ringenberg
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