Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/363



ORD Jesus  Christ,  Saviour  of  my  soul,  I present myself before  thee  to  follow  the  way  of  thy  Cross and to  retrace  in  spirit  that  sacred  path  which  was watered with  thy  adorable  blood,  during  thy  painful journey to  Mount  Calvary. I offer to  thee  this pious exercise,  with  the  view  of  gaining  the  indulgences which  the  Sovereign  Pontiffs  have  attached  to it; and  I purpose  to  pray  for  all  the  intentions which they  had  in  view  in  dispensing  so  rich  a treasure. Grant me,  O Lord,  the  dispositions  necessary for  obtaining  these  indulgences,  as  well  for myself as  for  the  souls  in  purgatory,  and  in  particular for those  for  whom  I design  to  pray. May I,  by this  holy  exercise,  merit  thy  mercy  in  this  world,  so as  to  secure  with  those  suffering  souls,  a place  in  thy eternal kingdom  in  the  life  to  come. Amen.

And thou,  O blessed  Mother  of  God,  assist  me  by thy  powerful  intercession. Present this  my  feeble homage to  thy  divine  Son,  in  reparation  of  the  many injuries he  daily  receives  from  bad  Christians,  and from many  impious  men,  who  deny  Him  that  redeemed them. Let me  participate  in  that  ineffable  sorrow which pierced  thy  most  tender  soul  during  the  several stages of  his  passion: that  I may  reap  an  abundant fruit from  this  holy  exercise,  for  the  advantage  and the benefit  of  all  those  for  whom  I pray. Amen.