Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/391

 salvation. These barbarians  fastened  him  with  nails, and then,  securing  the  Cross,  allowed  him  to  die  with anguish on  the  tree  of  scorn.

My Jesus,  laden  with  contempt,  nail  my  heart  to thy  feet,  that  it  may  ever  remain  there  to  love  thee, and never  quit  thee  again. I love thee  more  than myself. I repent, etc.

''Pater, Ave, Gloria. ''

V. We  adore  thee,  etc.

ONSIDER how  Jesus,  after  three  hours’ agony on the  Cross,  consumed  with  anguish,  abandoned himself to  the  weight  of  his  body,  bowed  his  sacred head, and  died.

O my dying  Jesus,  I kiss  devoutly  the  Cross  on which  thou  didst  die  for  the  love  of  me. I have merited by  my  sins  to  die  a miserable  death,  but  thy death is  my  hope. Ah! by the  merits  of  thy  death, give me  grace  to  die  embracing  thy  feet,  and  burning with love  for  thee. I commit my  soul  to  thy  hands. I love thee,  O Jesus,  above  all  things. I repent, etc.

Pater, Ave , Gloria.

V. We  adore  thee,  etc.

ONSIDER how  our  Lord,  having  expired,  two of his  disciples,  Joseph  and  Nicodemus,  took him down  from  the  Cross,  and  placed  him  in  the arms of  his  afflicted  Mother,  who  received  him  with ineffable tenderness,  and  pressed  him  to  her  bosom.

O Mother of  sorrows,  for  the  love  of  this  son, accept me  for  thy  servant,  and  pray  for  me. And thou, my  Redeemer,  since  thou  hast  died  for  me,  permit