IN HONOUR OF THE SACRED HEART OF MARY. 409

the last Sacraments worthily at the hour of my death. Lastly, obtain, I beseech thee, for the souls of my parents, brethren, relations, and benefactors, both living and dead, life everlasting. Amen.

Short Cxercise in honour of the Sacred Heart of Hary.

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COMPASSIONATE thee, sorrowing Mother, in the grief thy tender heart underwent when the holy Simeon prophesied to thee. Dear Mother, by the griefs of thy heart then so wounded, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of holy fear of God. Ave Maria.

II. I compassionate thee, sorrowing Mother, for the anxiety which thy heart so sensitive underwent in the flight and sojourn in Egypt. Dear Mother, by thy heart then so sorrowful, obtain for me the virtue of liberality, especially towards the poor, and the gift of piety. Ave Maria.

III. I compassionate thee, sorrowing Mary, for the terrors felt by thy anxious heart when thou didst lose thy dear Son Jesus. Dear Mother, by thy heart then so agitated, obtain for me the virtue of holy chastity, and with it the gift of knowledge. Ave Maria

IV. I compassionate thee, sorrowing Mary, for the shock thy Mother's heart experienced when Jesus met thee as he carried his cross. Dear Mother, by that loving heart of thine, then so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Ave Maria.

V. I compassionate thee, sorrowing Mary, for the

martyrdom thy generous heart bore so nobly whilst thou didst stand by Jesus agonizing. Dear Mother, by thy heart then so martyred, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Maria.

Ave

VI. I compassionate thee, sorrowing Mary, for the wound with which thy tender heart was riven when Jesus' sacred side was cleft with the lance. Dear Mother, by thy heart then pierced through, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Ave Maria.

VII. I compassionate thee, sorrowing Mary, for the anguish felt by thy loving heart when Jesus' body was buried in the grave. Dear Mother, by all the bitterness of desolation thou didst then know, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Ave Maria.

V. Pray for us, Virgin most sorrowful.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY,

YRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul in the hour of thine own Passion the sword of sorrow passed. Through thee, Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen.

quam

tristis et afflicta

Fuit illa benedicta

Mater Unigeniti !

Quæ morebat, et dolebat,
Pia Mater, dum videbat
Nati poenas inclyti.

Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
In tanto supplicio ?
Quis posset non contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
Dolentnm cum Filio?

Pro peccatis suæ gentis,
Vidit Jesum in tormentis,
Et flagellis subditum.
Vidit suum dulcem Natum
Moriendo desolatum,
Dum emisit spiritum.

Eia Mater, fons amoris,
Me sentire vim doloris
Fac, ut tecum lugeam.
Fac ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum,
Ut sibi complaceam.

Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
Cordi meo valide.
Tui Nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pro me pati,
Poenas mecum divide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifixo condolere,

Donec ego vixero.
Juxta crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociare
In planctu desidero.

Virgo virginum præclara,
Mihi jam non sis amara ;
Facme tecum plangere.
Fac ut portem Christi mortem,
Passionis fac consortem,
Et plagas recolere.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,
Fac me cruce inebriari,

Et cruore Filii.

Flammis ne urar succensus,
Per te, Virgo, sim defensus
In die judicii.

Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
Da
per Matrem me venire
Ad palmam victoriæ.
Quando corpus morietur,
Fac ut animæ donetur

Paradisi gloria. Amen.

The Bolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Y the Cross, on which suspended,

B With his bleeding hands extended,

Hung that Son she so adored,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
She whose heart, its silence keeping,
Grief had cleft as with a sword.

Oh! the Mother's sad affliction-
Mother of all benediction-

Of the sole-begotten One!
Oh, the grieving, sense-bereaving
Of her heaving breast perceiving
The dread sufferings of her Son!
What man is there so unfeeling
Who, his heart to pity steeling,

Could behold that sight unmoved?
Could Christ's Mother see there weeping,
See the pious Mother keeping

Vigil by the Son she loved.

For His people's sins atoning,

She saw Jesus writhing, groaning,

'Neath the scourge wherewith He bled;
Saw her loved one, her Consoler,
Dying in His dreadful dolor,

Till at length His spirit fled.

O thou Mother of election !
Fountain of all pure affection!

Make thy grief, thy pain, my own;
Make my heart to God returning,
In the love of Jesus burning,

Feel the fire that thine has known.