Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/420



HOLY Virgin! by the  bitter  tears  which  thou didst shed  in  seeking  thy  beloved  Son,  obtain for me,  I beseech  thee,  grace  to  know  and  detest  the sins by  which  I have  lost  his  divine  presence,  that increasing daily  in  his  love,  I may  labour  with  such ardour and  perseverance  to  repair  by  future  fidelity my past  abuse  of  grace,  as  never  more  to  be  separated from Jesus,  thy  divine  Son.

EDITATE, with  profound  humility,  the  sorrow that penetrated  the  Virgin’s  heart  on  meeting her divine  Son  sinking  beneath  the  heavy  cross  which he bore  to  Calvary. What a heartrending  spectacle for such  a mother! yet, understanding  that  it  was  at this  price  alone  our  redemption  could  be  accomplished, she unites  the  sacrifice  of  her  own  love  to  that  of  her divine Son,  in  whose  sufferings  she  participates  even to the  last  sigh.

Our Father,  etc.

MOTHER of my  Redeemer! since my  sins,  in overwhelming  thy  beloved  Son  with  the  weight of this  ignominious  cross,  have  been  also  the  cause  of thy  dolors,  I conjure  thee  by  thy  tender  compassion for his  sufferings,  to  obtain  for  me  grace  to  support patiently whatever  he  shall  be  pleased  to  send  me; that by  resignation  in  suffering,  and  fervour  in  his service, I may  expiate  the  opprobrium  he  has  endured for my  iniquities.