burning tears wash my soul, and His precious blood blot out all the stains of my sins. May His ignominious death preserve me from everlasting death. Accept, O my Lord, His bitter torments in satisfaction for my heavy sins. If a single drop of His precious blood would suffice to atone for more than all the sins of the world, what will be the worth of all the drops of His precious blood? But now, in order to satisfy for my sins, I offer Thee each and every drop of my Saviour's blood, together with all His merits. Thus I do not doubt Thou wilt receive my offering, and in consideration of it graciously pardon me all my sins and release me from the punishment which yet remains for them. Amen. The Seven Words of Christ on the Cross. PRAYER. DIVINE JESUS, incarnate Son of God, Who didst vouchsafe for our salvation to be born in a stable, to lead a life of poverty, toil, and misery, and to die a painful death on the cross, I beseech Thee, at the hour of my death, say to Thy heavenly Father: "Father, pardon him,' to Thy Mother: "Behold thy son!" and to my soul: "This day shalt thou be with Me in paradise!" "O my God, my God, do not abandon me in that hour." "I thirst; " yea, my soul thirsts for Thee, my God, Who art the source of living water. My life vanishes like a shadow; yet a little while, and all will be consummated. Therefore, O my adorable Saviour, "I commend my spirit into Thy hands;" from this moment, and for all eternity, Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Amen. (Three hundred days' indulgence each time; Pius IX., June 10, 1856. The Way of the Cross. Begin with an act of contrition. Before each station say: V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. After each station say an Our Father, Hail Mary, and a Glory be to the Father. V. Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy upon us. V. May the souls of the faithful, etc. Passing on from one station to another say: STATION I.: JESUS CONDEMNED TO DEATH. MY JESUS, oft have I signed Thy death-warrant by my sins: save me by Thy death from that eternal death I deserve. STATION II.: JESUS RECEIVES HIS CROSS. MY JESUS, Who by Thine own will didst take on Thee the cross which I made for Thee by my sins: oh, make me know the weight of them, and sorrow for them ever while I live. STATION III.: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME BENEATH THE CROSS. MY JESUS, the heavy burden of my sins has made Thee fall down beneath the cross. My Jesus, I loathe them, I detest them, I beseech Thee to pardon them; aided by Thy grace, I will never commit them more. STATION IV. JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER. JESUS, most suffering! Mary, Mother most sorrowful! if for the past by sin I have caused you pain and sorrow, yet by divine grace it shall be so no more, but I will love you faithfully until death. STATION V.: SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS. MY JESUS, happy was that man of Cyrene, who aided Thee to bear the cross! Happy shall I be if I, too, aid Thee to bear the cross by suffering with patience and good will the crosses Thou shalt send me during life. My Jesus, give me grace to do so. STATION VI.: JESUS AND VERONICA. JESUS, most compassionate, Who didst deign to print Thy sacred countenance upon the cloth 9 with which Veronica wiped the sweat from off Thy brows; print in my soul deep, I pray Thee, the lasting memory of Thy most bitter pains. STATION VII.: JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME. MY JESUS, oft have I sinned, and by sin often made Thee fall beneath the cross. Help me to use such efficacious means of grace, that I may never fall again into sin. STATION VIII.: JESUS COMFORTS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM. MY JESUS, Who didst comfort the pious women of Jerusalem who wept to see Thee so tormented: comfort my soul with Thy mercy, for in Thy mercy alone is my sole trust. Oh, may I never frustrate it! STATION IX.: AGAIN A THIRD TIME JESUS FALLS. MY JESUS, by all the bitter woe Thou didst endure, when a third time Thou didst fall beneath the heavy cross: oh, never, never let me |