Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/375



V. We  adore  thee,  O Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  bless thy holy  name.

R. Because  by  thy  holy  cross  thou  hast  redeemed the world.

HIS station  represents  the  foot  of  Mount  Calvary where Jesus  Christ,  quite  destitute  of  strength, falls a third  time  to  the  ground. The anguish  of  his wounds is  renewed. Consider here  the  many  injuries and blasphemous  derisions  thrown  out  against  Christ to compel  him  to  rise  and  hasten  to  the  place  of execution,  that  his  inveterate  enemies  might  enjoy the bloody  satisfaction  of  beholding  him  expire  on the  cross. Consider that  by  your  sins  you  daily hurry him  to  the  place  of  execution. Approach then, in  thought  to  the  foot  of  Mount  Calvary,  and cry out,  accursed  weight  of  sin  that  prostrated  my Saviour,  and  had  long  since  buried  me  in  the flames of  hell,  if  his  mercy  and  the  merits  of  his passion had  not  preserved  me !

AMIABLE Jesus,  I return  thee  endless  thanks  for not permitting  me,  an  ungrateful  sinner,  as  thou hast permitted  thousands,  less  criminal,  to  die  in  my sins. I have added  torments  to  thy  torments,  by heaping  sin  on  Bin. Kindle in  my  soul  the  fire  of  charity; maintain it  with  thy  continual  grace  until,  delivered from this  body  of  death,  I can  enjoy  the  liberty  of the  children  of  God,  and  of  thy  coheirs. Amen.