Pieta

"The transport of Christ to the sepulcher" Antonio Ciseri (1883)

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - "Pieta" (1876)

Beneath the cross the Mother kept
Bleak vigil under darkened skies.
Upon the cross her Son hung nailed,
Stabbed through by crowds of hostile eyes.

"And your own soul a sword shall pierce,"
The old man in the Temple said,
The Spirit's sword, the word of God--
God's word be done, was all she said.

Upon the cross the Savior died;
Beneath, the Mother bowed her head;
Above, the storm broke harsh and wild-
God's word be done, was all she said.

A soldier came and thrust him through;
The blood and water proved him dead,
They laid his body in her arms-
God's word be done, was all she said.

At vigil's end, the Crucified
Arose from death her glorious Lord.
O Father, Son, and Spirit, God,
We praise and magnify your Word.
Genevieve Glen, OSB