CHAPTER XXXIV Prayers to the several parts of Christ’s Body: and first to His Feet
CHAPTER XXXIV
Prayers to the several parts of Christ’s Body: and first to His Feet
O BEAUTEOUS Feet of my Lord Jesus Christ, Which were transfixed by one most cruel nail being driven through You both, and thereupon did shed forth much precious Blood, I reverently adore You; and I kiss You, earnestly praying that the sins which I have committed in standing or walking may be forgiven me.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Legs
O beauteous Legs, and humble Knees of my Lord Jesus Christ, Which were in prayer so often bent and prostrate upon the naked earth, Which were racked with burning fever in His Passion, I humbly adore You; and I kiss You, meekly entreating that the sins which I have so often committed by my want of fervour and devotion in the service of God may mercifully be forgiven me.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Side
O most adorable Side of my Lord Jesus Christ, in which the Wound of Divine Love is to be seen pierced through and through, I specially adore Thee; and I cover Thee with kisses, earnestly imploring that the sins which I have so often committed against brotherly charity, and by waxing cold in my love for God, may be forgiven me.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Back
O most patient Back of my Lord Jesus Christ, Which wast ready without a murmur to bear the Tree of Life, and the burden of the sins of all sinners, Which also submittedst to be most cruelly scourged, I devoutly adore Thee; and I reverently kiss Thee, praying that the sins which I have committed by being impatient under the burdens laid upon me may be forgiven me.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Hands
O adorable Hands of my Lord Jesus Christ, Which were stretched out to Their widest upon the Cross, and were pierced by great iron nails, I devoutly adore You; and with tears in my eyes I kiss You, and pray that all the sins which I have committed by act, or by touch, may be done away.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Breast
O most pure Breast of my Lord Jesus Christ, on Which was never spot of sin, nor could any enter Therein, upon Which blessed John the Apostle leant at Supper, I adore Thee in all sincerity; and I lovingly kiss Thee, praying that whatever guilt I have contracted by foul thoughts may be thoroughly washed away.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Neck
O white and slender Neck of my Lord Jesus Christ, Which wast so often mere skin and bone from hunger and from thirst, Which wast never painstakingly adorned, nor ever proudly stretched out, or lifted up, but wast humbly bowed in filial respect; Which in the Passion wast so cruelly buffeted, I humbly adore Thee; and I lovingly kiss Thee, praying that whatever I have done from motives of vanity may be forgiven me.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Mouth
O most sweet Mouth of my Lord Jesus Christ, out of Which the word of Salvation went forth into the world, Which wast defiled by the spittle of the Jews, Which wast embittered with the draught of vinegar, I adore Thee; and I gently kiss Thee, entreating that the sins which I have so often committed in eating, drinking, and speaking may be forgiven me.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Face
O illustrious Face of my Lord Jesus Christ, full of kindliness and awe, Which wast so foully spat upon by the Jews, Which wast so shamefully buffeted, and mockingly veiled, I adore Thee with the reverence which is Thy due; and I lovingly kiss Thee, praying Thee to pardon me all the disrespect by which I have so many times given offence to Thy Majesty.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Ears
O blessed Ears of my Lord Jesus Christ, Which no breath of flattery ever entered, Which no sneering or offensive word ever made to swerve from the path of uprightness, I honour and adore You; and I reverently kiss You, and pray that I may speedily forget every idle word which I have drunk in by listening to that which I ought not.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Eyes
O Eyes of my Lord Jesus Christ, brightly shining, never soiled by any evil desire, now dimmed by death; Eyes Whence many a time came forth a shower of tears, with all my heart I adore You; and I gently kiss You, praying the while for pardon for all the stains upon my soul caused by sight used unlawfully.
Hail Mary, etc.
To the Head
O sublime and adorable Head of my Lord Jesus Christ, having now a sharp crown of thorns pressed down upon the top of Thee, and Thy hair stained and hallowed by the Blood Which has run down upon Thee, I join the angels and all the heavenly host in adoring Thee; upon each of Thy sacred Wounds I print loving kisses; and I earnestly entreat Thee to rid me from all the thorn-pricks which my sins have left in me, and to vouchsafe to number me among Thy elect, even though my place must needs be found among the least of all the members of Thy Body.
Hail Mary, etc.