Page:The Way of the Holy Cross Martin.djvu/31

 THE NINTH STATION.

Adoramus, &c.

We adore Thee, &c.

Jesus falls under the Cross the third time.

Jesus has nearly reached the fatal spot,—a noisy mob pressing upon Him from behind, His brutal executioners violently dragging Him on before,—when, so weak has he become by the loss of blood which is streaming from His many wounds, and by the load of anguish which presses upon His soul, that, for the third time, He falls prostrate upon the ground.

Oh my God, I entreat Thee, by the merits of this third most painful fall, to pardon me, not only my individual sins and frequent relapses, but also my long continuance in sin, my repeated infidelities to grace, and my base cowardice in thy service.

The Act of Contrition. Page 17.