Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/388



V. We  adore  thee,  etc.

ONSIDER how  the  Jews,  seeing  that  at  each  step Jesus was  on  the  point  of  expiring,  and  fearing  he would  die  on  the  way,  when  they  wished  him  to  die the ignominious  death  of  the  Cross,  constrained Simon the  Cyrenean  to  carry  the  Cross  after  our  Lord.

My most  beloved  Jesus,  I will  not  refuse  the  Cross as the  Cyrenean  did: I accept  it,  I embrace  it. I accept in  particular  the  death  thou  hast  destined  for me, with  all  the  pains  which  may  acoompany  it; I unite  it  to  thy  death,  I offer  it  to  thee. Thou hast died for  love  of  me; I will  die  for  love  of  thee. Help me by  thy  grace  I love  thee,  Jesus,  my  love,  above all  things. I repent, etc.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

V. We  adore  thee,  etc.

ONSIDER how  the  holy  woman  Veronica, seeing Jesus  so  ill-used,  and  his  face  bathed  in sweat  and  blood,  presented  him  with  a towel,  with which he  wiped  his  adorable  face,  leaving  on  it  the impression of  his  holy  countenance.

My most  beloved  Jesus,  thy  face  was  beautiful before, but  in  this  journey  it  has  lost  all  its  beauty, and wounds  and  blood  have  disfigured  it. My soul also was  once  beautiful,  when  it  received  thy  grace in baptism; but,  alas! I have disfigured  it  since  by  my sins; thou  alone,  my  Redeemer,  canst  restore  it  to its  former  beauty. Do this  by  thy  passion,  O Jesus. I repent, etc.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.