Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/374

 wounded and  bathed  in  his  own  blood,  shed  tears  of compassion  over  him. Consider the  excessive  love of Jesus,  who,  though  languishing  through  the  multitude of  his  torments,  is  nevertheless  attentive  to console  the  women  who  wept  over  him. They heard that merciful  consolation  from  the*mouth  of  Jesus: “ Weep not  over  me,  but  over  yourselves  and  your children; weep for  your  sins,  the  sources  of  my afflictions.”  Yes,  my  soul! I will obey  my  suffering Lord, and  pour  out  tears  of  compunction. Nothing is more  eloquent  than  the  voice  of  the  tears  which flow from  the  horror  of  our  sins. Let us  address him in  the  following

JESUS ! only begotten  Son  of  the  Father ! who will give  water  to  my  head,  and  a fountain  of tears  to  my  eyes,  that  I may  day  and  night  weep  and lament my  sins,  I humbly  beseech  thee,  by  those tears of  blood  thou  didst  shed  for  me,  to  soften  my flinty  bosom,  that  tears  may  plentifully  flow  from my eyes,  and  contrition  rend  my  hardened  heart. Cancel my  crimes,  and  render  me  secure  in  the  day of wrath  and  examination,  when  thou  wilt  come  to judge  the  living  and  the  dead,  and  to  demand  a rigorous  account  of  thy  blood. Amen.

Our Father,  etc. Hail Mary,  etc.  Glory  be  to  the Father, etc.

V. Jesus  Christ  crucified,  have  mercy  on  ns.

R. Have  mercy  onus;  O Lord,  have  mercy  on  us.

V. And  may  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed, through the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace.

R. Amen.