Part 5 (2/2)
Ninth Station
JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME
JESUS, arriving exhausted at the foot of Calvary, falls for the third time to the ground. His love for us is not exhausted, not diminished.
What a fearfully oppressive burden our sins must be to cause Jesus to fall so often! Had He, however, not taken them upon Himself, they would have plunged us into the abyss of h.e.l.l.
_Prayer_
MOST merciful Jesus! I return Thee infinite thanks for not permitting me to continue in sin, and to fall, as I have so often deserved, into the depths of h.e.l.l. Enkindle in me an earnest desire of amendment. Let me never again relapse, but vouchsafe me Thy grace to persevere to the end of my life.
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
Tenth Station
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
AFTER arriving on Calvary, our Saviour was cruelly despoiled of His garments. How painful must this have been, because they adhered to His wounded and torn body, and with them parts of His b.l.o.o.d.y skin were removed! All the wounds of Jesus are renewed. He is despoiled of His garments that He might die possessed of nothing. How happy shall I die after laying aside my former self with all evil inclinations and desires!
_Prayer_
INDUCE me, O Jesus! to lay aside my former self, and to be renewed according to Thy will and desire. I will not spare myself, however painful this should be for me; despoiled of things temporal, of my own will, I desire to die, in order to live for Thee for ever.
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
Eleventh Station
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
JESUS, being stripped of His garments, was violently thrown upon the cross, and His hands and feet were most cruelly nailed thereto. In such excruciating torments He remained silent, because it thus pleased His heavenly Father. He suffered patiently because He suffered for us. How do I act in suffering and affliction? How fretful and impatient, how full of complaints I am!
_Prayer_
O JESUS, gracious Lamb of G.o.d! I renounce for ever my impatience.
Crucify, O Lord, my flesh and its concupiscences. Scorch, scathe, and punish me in this world; do but spare me in the next! I commit my destiny to Thee, resigning myself to Thy holy will; may it be done in all things.
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
Twelfth Station
JESUS IS RAISED UPON THE CROSS, AND DIES
BEHOLD Jesus crucified! Behold the wounds He received for the love of you! His whole appearance betokens love. His head is bent to kiss you; His arms are extended to embrace you; His Heart is open to receive you.
O superabundance of love! Jesus, the Son of G.o.d dies that man may live and be delivered from everlasting death.
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