Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/422

 plate in  his  sacred  wounds,  his  infinite  love  and  the malice of  sin,  that  by  sincere  contrition  and  the exercise of  penitential  works,  I may  deserve  the application of  his  merits; and  having  cleansed  my soul  in  his  sacred  blood  from  every  stain,  I may never offend  him  more.

EDITATE, with  profound  humility,  the  inexpressible anguish  of  this  desolate  mother,  in beholding  Joseph  and  Nicodemus  enclose  the  lifeless body of  her  only  beloved  Son  in  the  tomb,  where her heart  is  deposited  with  him.

Our Father,  etc.

DESOLATE Mother! by thy  agonizing  grief in quitting  the  tomb  that  enclosed  the  well-beloved  of  thy  soul,  deign  to  obtain  for  me  light to conceive  the  misfortune  of  a soul  separated  by sin  from  God; that  entering  into  the  sacred  wounds of Jesus,  and  penetrating  even  to  his  adorable  heart, I may draw  thence  a love  so  pure  and  constant,  that in all  my  actions  I may  seek  the  interest  and  glory of God  alone.

O Queen of  Martyrs! whose holy  soul  was  overwhelmed with  sorrow,  I conjure  thee  by  thy  tears  of anguish,  to  obtain  for  me  and  all  sinners  the  grace of perfect  contrition,  that  we  may  expiate  our  sins by works  worthy  of  penance. Amen.

OLY Virgin,  Mother  of  my  Saviour,  I invoke thee as  my  sovereign  protectress  and  advocate