Page:Stalphonsuspraye00ligu.djvu/68



V. We  adore  Thee,  etc.

R. Because  by  Thy  holy  cross,  etc.

onsider that  the  holy  woman  named  Veronica, seeing Jesus  so  afflicted,  and  His  face  bathed in sweat  and  blood,  presented  Him  with  a towel  with  which  He  wiped  His  adorable  face,  leaving on  it  the  impression  of  His  holy  countenance.

My most  beloved  Jesus,  Thy  face  was  beautiful before, but  in  this  journey  it  has  lost  all  its  beauty, and wounds  and  blood  have  disfigured  it. Alas! my soul  also  was  once  beautiful,  when  it  received Thy grace  in  baptism;  but  I  have  disfigured  it  since by my  sins. Thou alone,  my  Redeemer,  canst  restore it  to  its  former  beauty. Do this  by  Thy  Passion, and  then  do  with  me  what  Thou  wilt.

Our Father,  etc.

V. We  adore  Thee,  etc.

R. Because  by  Thy  holy  cross,  etc.

onsider the  second  fall  of  Jesus  under  the cross — a fall  which  renews  the  pain  of  all the wounds  of  the  head  and  members  of our  afflicted  Lord.

My most  gentle  Jesus,  how  many  times  Thou  hast pardoned me  and  how  many  times  have  I  fallen again, and  begun  again  to  offend  Thee! Oh, by  the merits of  this  new  fall,  give  me  the  necessary  helps to persevere  in  Thy  grace  until  death. Grant that in all  temptations  which  assail  me  I  may  always commend myself  to  Thee. I love  Thee,  Jesus,  my love,  with  my  whole  heart;  I  repent  of  having offended Thee. Never permit  me  to  offend  Thee