Page:StJosephsManual1877.pdf/754

 Mother (who,  pierced  with  sorrow,  stood  by  the  cross) to thy  beloved  disciple  John,  and  in  him  to  us  all; and after  thou  hadst  suffered  for  three  long  hours  intolerable pains  and  extreme  thirst,  they  gave  thee vinegar to  drink,  which,  when  thou  hadst  tasted, bowing down  thy  venerable  head,  thou  yieldedst  up thy  spirit.

15. O good  and  gracious  Jesus,  O good  Shepherd, thus thou  bestowedst  thy  life  for  thy  sheep; and  even after death  still  thou  wouldest  suffer  for  us,  the  sacred side of  thy  dead  body  being  opened  with  a spear,  out of which  flowed  water  and  blood. Thus at  last  ended all thy  sufferings; and  thy  enemies,  having  slaked their thirst  for  thy  blood,  and  being  gone  away,  thy disciples came  and  took  thy  immaculate  body  down from the  cross,  reposed  it  on  the  knees  of  thy  blessed Mother, and  after  all  imaginable  expressions  of  piety, reverence, and  love,  wrapped  it  up  in  linen,  and  laid it in  a sepulchre.

MILD and  innocent  Lamb  of  God,  thus  heartily thou didst  love  me; these  things  thou  didst  for me; these pains  most  patiently  and  lovingly  thou sufferedst for  me. What shall  I render  unto  thee? I adore and  glorify  thee,  I praise  thee  and  give  thee thanks with  all  the  powers  of my  soul. Jesus, Son of the  living  God,  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. Hail, most  glorious  Redeemer  of  our  souls,  whose death quickens  and  gives  life  to  the  world.

O blessed Saviour,  have  mercy  on  me,  for  thy  goodness sake; forgive  me  all  my  sins,  destroy  and  mortify in  me  whatever  displeaseth  thee. Make me  one according to  thy  heart,  and  grant  that  to  the  utmost of my  power  I may  most  diligently  imitate  thy  holy life. O blessed Father  of  heaven,  behold,  I offer  the most holy  incarnation,  life,  and  passion  of  thy  dearly-