The Bitter Laments - Gorzkie Zale
Finding their origin in the medieval mystery play, the Gorzkie Zale were first conducted as a religious service in Poland in 1707.  There is nothing like them in any other Christian land.  Usually sung on Sunday afternoons and Friday evenings of Lent, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the Bitter Laments consist of three parts each containing: a Hymn which considers the Passion and Death of Our Lord, a Lamentation which expresses sorrow for sins, and a sympathetic conversation of the soul with Mary.