Page:Beautifulpearlso00oreirich.djvu/41



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

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

HIS Station  represents  the  place  where  Jesus  Christ  was  publicly  exalted  on the  Cross  between  two  robbers,  who,  for  their  enormous  crimes,  were  executed with  the  innocent  Lamb.

Consider here  the  confusion  of  your  Saviour,  exposed  naked  to  the profane view  of  a  blasphemous  multitude. Imagine yourself  at  the  foot  of  the  Cross. Behold that  sacred  body  streaming  blood  from  every  part. Contemplate the  divine countenance pale  and  languid,  the  heart  throbbing  in  the  last  pangs  of  agony,  the  soul  on the  point  of  separation;  yet  charity  triumphs  over  His  agony;  His  last  prayers  petition forgiveness for  His  enemies:  "Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do." His clemency  is  equally  extended  to  the  penitent  thief:  "  This  day  shalt  thou  be  with me  in  Paradise." He recommends  in  His  last  moments  His  disconsolate  Mother  to  His beloved St. John. He recommends  His  soul  to  His  heavenly  Father,  and  bowing  down His submissive,  obedient  head,  resigns  His  spirit. Turn your  eyes  on  the  naked,  bloody portrait of  charity. Number His  wounds. Wash them  with  tears  of  sympathizing  love. Behold the  arms  extended  to  embrace  you. Love of  Jesus! thou diest  to  deliver  us  from eternal captivity.

SUFFERING Son  of  God! I now  behold  Thee  in  the  last  convulsive  pangs of death — Thy  veins  opened. Thy sinews  torn. Thy hands  and  feet,  O  Fountain of  Paradise! distilling blood. I acknowledge,  charitable  Jesus,  that  my reiterated  offences  have  been  Thy  merciless  executioners,  the  cause  of  Thy bitter sufferings  and  death. Yet, God  of  mercy,  look  on  my  sinful  soul,  bathe  it  in  Thy precious blood! Let me  die  to  the  vanity  of  the  world,  and  renounce  its  false  pleasures. Thou didst  pray,  my  Jesus,  for  Thy  enemies. I forgive  mine. I embrace  them  in  the bowels of  Thy  charity. I bury  my  resentment  in  Thy  wounds. Shelter me  in  the  day  of wrath  in  the  sanctuary  of  Thy  side. Let me  live,  let  me  die,  in  my  crucified  Jesus. Amen.

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

Jesus Christ  crucified,  have  mercy  on  us!