Page:KeyOfHeaven.djvu/350

  ASK  it  by  that  weariness,  solicitude  and  suffering  which  thou didst endure  when  thou  soughtest in vain  at  the  inns  of  Bethlehem a shelter  for  the  Sacred  Virgin and birthplace  for  the  Infant  God, and, when  being  everywhere  refused, thou  wert  obliged  to  consent that the  Queen  of  Heaven  should give birth  to  the  world' s  Redeemer in a  wretched  stable. I ask  it  by that  most  sad,  painful  duty  imposed on thee,  when  the  Divine  Child being eight  days  old,  thou  wert obliged to  inflict  a  deep  wound  on His  tender  body,  and  thus  be  the first to  make  flow  that  sacred  blood which was  to  wash  away  the  sins of the  world. I ask  it  by  the sweetness and  power  of  that  sacred name, Jesus,  thou  didst  confer  on the  adorable  Infant. I ask  it  by that  mortal  anguish  inflicted  on thee  by  the  prophecy  of  holy  Simeon,  which  declared  the  child