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V.    We   adore  Thee,  O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  bless  Thee.

R.    Because  by  Thy  holy  Cross  Thou   hast  redeemed  the   world.

HE  fifth  Station  represents  Christ  fainting,  destitute  of  strength,  unable    to carry  the  Cross. His sacrilegious  executioners  compel  Simon  the  Cyrenean, to carry  it,  not  through  compassionate  pity  to  Jesus,  but  lest  he  should  expire in their  hand,  before  they  could  glut  their  vengeance  by  nailing  Him  to  the Cross. Consider here  the  repugnance  of  Simon  to  carry  the  Cross  after  Christ;  and  that you with  repugnance,  and  by  compulsion,  carry  the  Cross  which  Providence  has  placed  on your  shoulders. Will you  spurn  the  love  of  your  Jesus,  who  invites  you  to  take  up  your Cross and  follow  Him? Will you  yet  with  shameless  ingratitude  refuse  the  Cross,  sanctified by  His  suffering? Offer up  devoutly  the  following.

SUFFERING Jesus! to what  excess  did  Thy  impious  executioners'  cruelty proceed! Beholding Thee  faint  under  the  Cross,  apprehensive  of  Thy  death before they  could  complete  their  bloody  intentions,  they  compel  Simon  to carry  the  Cross  that  Thou  mightest  expire  on  it  in  the  most  exquisite  torture. But why  should  I  complain  of  the  cruelty  of  the  Jews  or  the  repugnance  of  Simon? Have I  not  again  crucified  Thee  by  my  crimes? Have I  not  suffered  with  fretful  impatience the  light  afflictions  with  which  Thy  mercy  visited  me? Inspire me  now,  my  Jesus, to detest  and  deplore  my  sinful  impatience,  my  ungrateful  murmurs,  and  let  me  with  all my heart  cheerfully  accompany  Thee  to  Mount  Calvary;  let  me  live  in  Thee,  and  die  in Thee. Amen, Jesus.

Our Father,  &amp;c. Hail Mary,  &amp;c. Glory, &amp;c.

Jesus Christ  crucified,  have  mercy  on  us!