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 It was as on this day that Thou didst suffer; this is the day of the Cross. Every week may I set apart this day for the memorial of the mystery of Thy Passion. Teach me to meditate on Thine agony, Thy bloody sweat, the shame and spitting, the violence of the people, the unjust sentence, the carrying of Thine own Cross, the sharp crown, Thy great thirst. Thy distress of spirit, Thy pain of body, Thy wonderful meekness, Thy words on the Cross, Thy last prayer, the bowing of Thy head, the giving up of the ghost, the piercing of the spear, the blood and water poured out of the fountain of Thy side.

O wonderful love that Thou shouldest have consented to die! wonderful patience and gentleness that Thou shouldest have so borne death, and such a death! great mystery of sin that required so great a sacrifice! Truly Thou art the Son of God, Thou art our Saviour, “the Hope of all the ends of the earth,” “the Desire of all nations.” Blessed be Thy name above every name, among angels and archangels and men upon earth, for the overflowings of Thy immeasurable love. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

May my meditations upon Thy Cross stir up