NINTH STATION.
Jesus falls under the Cross a third time.
V. We adore thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, and bless thy holy name.
R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE MYSTERY.
THIS station represents the foot of Mount Calvary where Jesus Christ, quite destitute of strength, falls a third time to the ground. The anguish of his wounds is renewed. Consider here the many injuries and blasphemous derisions thrown out against Christ to compel him to rise and hasten to the place of execution, that his inveterate enemies might enjoy the bloody satisfaction of beholding him expire on the cross. Consider that by your sins you daily hurry him to the place of execution. Approach then, in thought to the foot of Mount Calvary, and cry out, accursed weight of sin that prostrated my Saviour, and had long since buried me in the flames of hell, if his mercy and the merits of his passion had not preserved me !
PRAYER.
O AMIABLE Jesus, I return thee endless thanks for not permitting me, an ungrateful sinner, as thou hast permitted thousands, less criminal, to die in my sins. I have added torments to thy torments, by heaping sin on Bin. Kindle in my soul the fire of charity; maintain it with thy continual grace until, delivered from this body of death, I can enjoy the liberty of the children of God, and of thy coheirs. Amen.
