moment, when my soul embraces You under the cross as dead in Your
of sorrow; 9. Your most gracious figure was so steeped in affliction; 10. Your woeful heart was without consolation from all mankind. Oh, pure Lady, on this account forget not to be a constant protector of my whole life, and my faithful guide. Turn your eyes, your mild eyes, at all times, with compassion on me. Watch over me like a mother in every temptation. Protect me faithfully against my enemies, protect me beneath your tender arms. Let your faithful kissing of His wounds be to me as a tender reconciliation with Him; Let the wounds of your heart obtain for me a cordial repentance of my sins; Your fervent sighing procure for me a constant yearning; And let your bitter tears soften my hard heart; Be your lamentable words even as a renunciation to me of all voluptuous speeches; Your weeping form as a casting away of all dissolute conduct; Your disconsolate heart as a despising of all perishable affections.
ON SATURDAY, OR AT COMPLINE.
1. O, You ravishing brightness of eternal light, how are You at this moment, when my soul embraces You under the cross as dead in Your sorrowful mother's lap, with lamentations and thanksgiving, how are You utterly extinguished! Extinguish in me the burning desire of all vice. 2. O, You pure clear mirror of the Divine Majesty, how are You defiled for very love of me! Wash out the great stains of my evil deeds. 3. O, fair and shining Image of the Fatherly goodness, how grievously disfigured You art! Restore the disfigured image of my soul. 4. O, innocent Lamb, how piteously are You abased! Atone and reform for me my guilty sinful life. 5. O, King of all kings, O, Lord of all lords, vouchsafe me, since my soul embraces You with sorrow and lamentation in Your abasement, that it may be embraced by You with joy in Your eternal glory. O, pure Mother, worthy of all love, remember to-day, 1. The forlorn condition in which you found yourself when they tore your murdered Son from your breast; 2. Remember your separation from Him; 3. Your faltering steps; 4. Your heart sighing again for His body; 5. The constant fidelity which you alone evinced for Him in all His woe till He was laid in the grave. Obtain for me, from your tender Son, that in your sorrow and His sufferings I may subdue my own. Moreover, that I may shut myself up with Him in His sepulchre from all temporal anxieties; That I may be inspired with disgust for all this world; That I may only cherish a perpetual desire of