Lyrics adapted by Frank DiGiacomo, English translation by Julian R. Pace.

Partially composed in 1964, the original four parts: O quam tristis, Quis est homo, Sancta Mater and the Quando corpus morietur were performed by Gayle Ross, soprano, and Jean Loftus, mezzo soprano, at DiGiacomo in Concert, May 28, 1975 at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, New York.
The Inflammatus was found posthumously in the Composer’s papers. The sound files use synth voice and piano.

The Inflammatus has not yet been performed. If you or your organization are interesting in learning and recording this piece, SingDiGiacomo would be interested in the results. If the DiGiacomo Family approves, your performance could be featured on this website and any sales accruing from your performance, available to you, or your organization. Please contact us at singdigiacomo@gmail.com for more information.

 LYRICS
1. O quam tristis
O quam tristis et afflicta fuit illa benedicta Mater Unigeniti,
O how sad and afflicted was that blessed Mother of the Alone-Begotten,

quae moerebat et dolebat Pia Mater dum videbat nati poenas incliti.
who mourned and grieved, pious Mother, as she saw the torment of her glorious child.

2.Quis est homo
Quis est homo qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si videret in tanto supplicio?
Who is the man who would not weep if he were to see the Mother of Christ in such great agony?

Quis non posset contristari Matrem Christi contemplari dolentem cum Filio?
Who would not be able to feel compassion on beholding Christ’s Mother suffering with her Son?

Pro peccatis suae gentis vidit Iesum in tormentis et flagellis subditum.
For the sins of his people she saw Jesus tortured and subjected to the lash.

3. Sancta Mater
Sancta Mater, (istud agas,) crucifixi fige plagas cordi meo valide,
Holy Mother, bring this to pass, fix the wounds of the crucified firmly in my heart,

tui nati vulnerati tam dignati pro me pati poenas mecum divide.
share with me the pain of your wounded offspring who deigned to suffer so much for me.

Fac me vere tecum flere crucifixo condolere donec ego vixero.
Let me sincerely weep with you, share the crucified one’s pain, for as long as I shall live.

Iuxta crucem tecum stare te libenter sociare in planctu desidero.
I desire to stand with you by the cross, to join with you willingly in weeping.

Virgo virginum praeclara, mihi iam non sis amara, fac me tecum plangere.
Virgin most exalted of virgins, be not ill-disposed toward me, cause me to weep with you.

4. Inflammatus
 . . .fac me plagis vulnerari cruce hac inebriari . . .
 . . .let me be wounded by His wounds, overwhelmed by that cross . . .

Inflammatus et accensus, per te, Virgo, sim defensus . . .
Inflamed and set on fire, may I be defended by you, Virgin . . .

 . . .cruce hac inebriari ob amorem filii.
 . . .overwhelmed by that cross for love of your son.

Inflammatus et accensus, per te, Virgo, sim defensus in die iudicii.
Inflamed and set on fire, may I be defended by you, Virgin, in the day of judgment.

Christe, cum sit hinc exire da per matrem me venire ad palmam victoriae.
Christ, when it is time to depart, grant through your mother for me to come to the palm of victory.

5. Quando corpus morietur
Quando corpus morietur fac ut animae donetur paradisi gloria. Amen.
When my body dies, let my soul be granted the glory of paradise. Amen.