compassion for Jesus, but lest he should expire before they could satiate their vengeance, by nailing him to the cross. Consider here the repugnance of Simon to carry the cross after Christ; and remember that you also reluctantly submit to the cross which Providence has placed on your shoulders. Will you continue to spurn the advice of your Jesus, who invites you to take up your cross and follow him ? Will you yet, with shameless ingratitude, refuse the cross sanctified by his sufferings ? Offer up devoutly the following
PRAYER.
O SUFFERING Jesus ! to what an excess did thy impious executioners carry their cruelty. Seeing thee faint under the cross, and apprehending thy death before they could accomplish their bloody designs, they compelled Simon to aid in bearing thy cross, that on it thou mightest expire in tortures. But why should I complain of the cruelty of the Jews, or the repugnance of Simon? Have I not again crucified him by my crimes? Have I not suffered with fretful impatience the light affliction with which thy mercy visited me? Teach me, now, my Jesus, to detest* and deplore my past impatience, and let me, with a willing heart, accompany thee to Mount Calvary; let me live in thee and die in thee. Amen.
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.
V. Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us.
R. Have mercy on us; O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Quis non posset contristári
Christi Matrem contemplári
doléntem cum Fílio?
