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UR dear  Saviour  carrying  the  cross  was  so  weakened by its  heavy  weight  as  to  fall  exhausted  to  the ground. Our sins  were  the  heavy  burden  which  oppressed Him;  the  cross  was  to  Him  light  and  sweet, but our  sins  were  galling  and  insupportable.

MY Jesus! Thou didst  bear  my  burden  and  the heavy weight  of  my  sins. Should I,  then,  not bear in  union  with  Thee  my  easy  burden  of  suffering, and accept  the  sweet  yoke  of  Thy  commandments? Thy yoke  is  sweet  and  Thy  burden  is  light:  I  therefore willingly  accept  it. I will  take  up  my  cross  and follow Thee.

Our Father,  etc.;  Hail  Mary,  etc.

V. Lord  Jesus,  crucified:

R. Have  mercy  on  us!

V. We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee:

R. Because  by  Thy  holy  cross  Thou  hast  redeemed the world!

ow painful  it  must  have  been  for  Mary,  the  sorrowful Mother,  to  behold  her  beloved  Son  laden  with the burden  of  the  cross. What unspeakable  pangs her most  tender  heart  experienced! How earnestly