Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/686

 ''Pater, Ave. Gloria. ''

Miserere nostri,  &amp;c. Sancta Mater,  &amp;c.

V. Adoramus  te,  &amp;c.

R. Quia per  sanctam,  &amp;c.

For three  hours  Jesus  has  hung  upon  his  transfixed hands;  his  blood  has  run  in  streams  down  his body, and  bedewed  the  ground;  and,  in  the  midst of excruciating  sufferings,  he  has  pardoned  his  murderers, promised  the  bliss  of  Paradise  to  the  good thief, and  committed  his  blessed  Mother  and  beloved disciple to  each  other's  care. All is  now  consummated;  and  meekly  bowing  down  his  head,  he  gives up the  ghost.

O Jesus,  we  devoutly  embrace  that  honoured  cross whereon thou  didst  love  us  even  unto  death. In that death  we  place  all  our  confidence. Henceforth let us live only for thee; and in dying for thee, let us die loving thee and in thy sacred arms.

''Pater. Ave. Gloria.''

Miserere nostri,  &amp;c. Sancta Mater,  &amp;c.

V. Adoramus  te,  &amp;c.

R. Quia  per  sanctam,  &amp;c.

The multitudes  have  left  the  heights  of  Calvary, and none  remain  save  the  beloved  disciple  and  the holy women,  who,  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  are  striving to  bring  consolation  to  Christ's  inconsolable Mother. Joseph of  Arimathea  and  Nicodemus  take down the  body  of  her  divine  Son  from  the  cross,  and deposit it  in  her  arms.

O thou,  whose  grief  was  boundless  as  an  unfathomable ocean,  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  grant  us  a