Fifth Mystery.
THE CRUCIFIXION.
MEDITATE, with profound humility, the agony this Mother of sorrows, in beholding her divine Son nailed to the cross, pouring forth his precious blood, and expiring between two criminals.
Our Father, etc.
PRAYER.
MOST compassionate Mother I through thy inconceivable sorrow in beholding thy beloved Son expire amidst such excessive torments, obtain for me grace to participate in his sacrifice, by continual mortification of my passions, and abnegation of self. Vouchsafe, by thy maternal charity, to sustain me to the end in this painful and dangerous pilgrimage.
Sixth Mystery.
THE TAKING DOWN OF JESUS FROM THE CROSS.
MEDITATE, with profound humility, the intense sorrow of this heartbroken mother when her divine Son, being taken down from the cross, was laid in her arms; his countenance pale and livid, his eyes dimmed with the shade of death, his sacred body covered with wounds and blood.
Our Father, etc.
PRAYER.
O MOTHER of mercy, I acknowledge, with confusion, that it is my sins which, in nailing thy well-beloved Son to the cross, have transpierced thy soul with sorrow. Yet deign, O refuge of sinners! to obtain my pardon, and permit me to adore, in thy maternal arms, my crucified God and Redeemer. Obtain also for me, I conjure thee, so to contem-
