Page:Beautifulpearlso00oreirich.djvu/45



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  Christ's  Sepulchre,  where  His  blessed  body  was  laid with piety  and  devotion.

Consider the  emotions  of  the  Virgin — her  eyes  streaming  with  tears,  her bosom heaving  with  sighs. What melancholy,  what  wistful  looks  she  cast  on that  monument  where  the  treasure  of  her  soul,  her  Jesus,  her  all,  lay  entombed. Here lament your  want  of  contrition  for  your  sins,  and  humbly  adore  your  deceased  Lord, who, poor  even  in  death,  is  buried  in  another's  tomb. Blush at  your  dependence  on  the world, and  the  eager  solicitude  with  which  you  labor  to  grasp  its  perishable  advantages. Despise henceforth  the  world,  lest  you  perish  with  it.

HARITABLE Jesus,  for  my  salvation  Thou  performedst  the  painful  journey of the  Cross. Let me  press  the  footsteps  marked  by  Thee,  gracious Redeemer — the paths  which,  through  the  thorns  of  life,  conduct  to  the heavenly Jerusalem. Would that  Thou  wert  entombed  in  my  heart,  that being united  to  Thee,  I  might  rise  to  a  new  life  of  grace,  and  persevere  to  the  end. Grant me,  in  my  last  moments,  to  receive  Thy  precious  Body,  as  the  pledge  of  immortal life. Let my  last  words  be  Jesus  and  Mary,  my  last  breath  be  united  to  Thy  last  breath on the  Cross;  that  with  a  lively  faith,  a  firm  hope  and  ardent  love,  I  may  die  with  Thee and for  Thee;  that  I  may  reign  with  Thee  for  ever  and  ever. Amen, Jesus.

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

Jesus Christ  crucified,  have  mercy  on  us!

OMPASSIONATE Jesus! behold with  eyes  of  mercy  this  devotion  I  have  endeavored  to  perform, in honor  of  Thy  bitter  passion  and  death,  in  order  to  obtain  remission  of  my  sins,  and  the  pains incurred by  them. Accept of  it  for  the  salvation  of  the  living  and  the  eternal  repose  of  the faithful departed,  particularly  for  those  for  whom  I  directed  it. Do not,  my  Jesus,  suffer  the ineffable price  of  Thy  blood  to  be  fruitless,  nor  my  miserable  soul  ransomed  by  it,  to  perish. The voice  of  Thy  blood  is  louder  for  mercy  than  my  crimes  for  vengeance. Have mercy  then,  O  Lord! have mercy, and  spare  me  for  Thy  mercy's  sake! Amen, Jesus.