Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/421



EDITATE, with  profound  humility,  the  agony this Mother  of  sorrows,  in  beholding  her  divine Son nailed  to  the  cross,  pouring  forth  his  precious blood, and  expiring  between  two  criminals.

Our Father,  etc.

OST compassionate  Mother  I through  thy  inconceivable sorrow  in  beholding  thy  beloved  Son expire amidst  such  excessive  torments,  obtain  for  me grace  to  participate  in  his  sacrifice,  by  continual mortification of  my  passions,  and  abnegation  of  self. Vouchsafe, by  thy  maternal  charity,  to  sustain  me  to the  end  in  this  painful  and  dangerous  pilgrimage.

EDITATE, with  profound  humility,  the  intense sorrow of  this  heartbroken  mother  when  her divine Son,  being  taken  down  from  the  cross,  was laid in  her  arms; his  countenance  pale  and  livid,  his eyes dimmed  with  the  shade  of  death,  his  sacred  body covered with  wounds  and  blood.

Our Father,  etc.

MOTHER of  mercy,  I acknowledge,  with  confusion, that  it  is  my  sins  which,  in  nailing  thy well-beloved Son  to  the  cross,  have  transpierced  thy soul with  sorrow. Yet deign,  O refuge  of  sinners! to obtain  my  pardon,  and  permit  me  to  adore,  in  thy maternal arms,  my  crucified  God  and  Redeemer. Obtain also  for  me,  I conjure  thee,  so  to  contem-