Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/387



V. We  adore  thee,  etc.

ONSIDER this  first  fall  of  Jesus  under  his  Cross. His flesh  was  torn  by  the  scourges,  his  head crowned with  thorns,  and  he  had  lost  a great  quantity of blood. He was  so  weakened  he  could  scarcely walk, and  yet  he  had  to  carry  this  great  load  upon  his shoulders. The soldiers  struck  him  rudely,  and  thus he fell  several  times.

My Jesus,  it  is  not  the  weight  of  the  Cross,  but of my  sins,  which  has  made  thee  suffer  so  much  pain. Ah, by  the  merits  of  this  first  fall,  deliver  me  from the misery  of  falling  into  mortal  sin. I love thee, O my Jesus! I repent, etc.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

V. We  adore  thee,  etc.

ONSIDER the  meeting  of  the  Son  and  the Mother, which  took  place  on  this  journey. Their looks  became  so  many  arrows  to  wound  those hearts which  loved  each  other  so  tenderly.

My sweet  Jesus,  by  the  sorrow  thou  didst experience in  this  meeting,  grant  me  the  grace  of  a truly  devoted  love  for  thy  most  holy  Mother. And thou, my  Queen,  who  wast  overwhelmed  with  sorrow, obtain for  me  by  thy  intercession  a continual  and tender remembrance  of  the  passion  of  thy  Son. I love thee,  Jesus,  my  love,  above  all  things. I repent, etc.

Pater, Are, Gloria.