Page:KeyOfHeaven.djvu/352

 return to  thy  native  country. I ask it  by  thy  peaceful  dwelling  in Nazareth,  in  which  so  many  joys and sorrows  were  mingled. I ask it by  thy  extreme  affliction,  in being  three  days  deprived  of  the company of  the  adorable  Child. I ask it  by  the  joy  at  finding  Him  in the  temple  and  by  the  ineffable consolation imparted  to  thee  in  the cottage of  Nazareth,  with  the society of  the  little  Jesus. I ask it by  that  wonderful  condescension by which  He  subjected  Himself  to thy  will. I ask  it  through  that dolorous view,  continually  in  thy mind, of  all  thy  Jesus  was  to  suffer. I ask  it  by  that  painful  contemplation, which  made  thee  foresee  the divine little  hands  and  feet,  now so active  in  serving  thee,  one  day to be  pierced  with  cruel  nails; that head,  which  rested  gently on thy  bosom,  crowned  with sharp thorns;  that  delicate  body,