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Preparatory Prayer  (p.  115).

he sacrifice  for  the  redemption  of  the  world was accomplished. "And Joseph,  taking  the body,  wrapt  it  up  in  a  clean  linen  cloth,  and  laid it  in  his  own  new  monument,  which  he  had  hewed out  in  a  rock.  And  he  rolled  a  great  stone  to  the door  of  the  monument,  and  went  his  way"  (Matt xxvii.  59). Mary also  took  part  in  the  burial  of her  beloved  Son,  though  the  evangelists  do  not mention her  name  amongst  those  who  were  present on  that  mournful  occasion. Never, most assuredly, was  human  soul  visited  by  such  woe and desolation,  as  that  which  overwhelmed  hers as she  cast  a  last  glance  on  the  precious  remains of her  dead  Son.

et us  learn  of  the  sorrowful  Mother  at  the tomb of  her  divine  Son  submission  to  God's holy  will  in  all  things,  but  especially  when  He takes  from  us  one  of  our  dear  ones. Again, the contemplation of  the  sufferings  of  Mary  should fortify us  in  patience,  whenever  God  is  pleased to visit  us  with  a  light  and  small  cross  of  affliction, or even  with  a  sorrow  that  causes  our  heart  to