mater dolorosa

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mater dolorosa the Virgin Mary sorrowing for the death of Christ, especially as a representation in art. The phrase is Latin, and may originate in the verses ascribed to the Franciscan lay brother Jacopone da Todi (c.1230–1306) and others, ‘Stabat mater dolorosa iuxta crucem lacrimosa [At the cross her station keeping, stood the sorrowful mother weeping].’