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IV. THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
counsels mental prayer as the first
means of preserving my life of union
with God. Spiky thorns almost
scalped His Head. As they crowned
Him ‘fool’ and bent the knee before
Him in mock prayer and worship,
what mental suffering Our Lord
endured.
V. THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
emphasizes patience in carrying my
cross through life, as the second
means of keeping my life of union
with God. His Cross crushed Him
to the ground. Old Wounds were
widened. New Wounds were opened
in His Hands and Knees. To carry
my cross patiently in union with His,
is my best penance for past sin and
the best protection against future sin.
VI. THE CRUCIFIXION urges me to
never give up the ideal of a life
united with God. Jesus now clung
to His Eternal Ideal. When I am
tempted to give up my old ideals
of prayer, sacrifice and purity, I
must plead with Him to raise these
dead ideals to life.
VII. THE PIERCING OF THE HEART
inspires me to final perseverance
in my life of union with God. His
Love for me persevered until His
Heart was emptied unto the last
Drop. “Take courage,” He says, “I
have overcome the world.” I reply,
“Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?”
The PRECIOUS BLOOD
APPEAL for PARDON
ACCEPT, O Lord, this appeal for pardon
wrung from our afflicted and repentant
souls, and in true sorrow for our sins
and the sins of our relatives and friends.
We ask Pardon, O Divine Heart, for
public scandals and evil living, for all
who try to stir up disorder, for all who
corrupt Thy little ones, for those who
spend their youth and fortune in
sensuous living, for crimes in families,
the sins of parents and children.
We ask Pardon, O Divine Heart, for those
who traffic in public crime, for those
who lead and lure souls to eternal
damnation by riches and corrupt
literature, for those who excite evil
passions by immodest fashions, corrupt
plays and degenerate art.
We ask Pardon, O Divine Heart, for all
attacks against our Holy Father the Pope,
for all organized disobedience against
Holy Mother the Church, for all weak
and straying souls, for sinners who resist
grace, for all abuse of the Sacraments
or any outrage against the Holy
Eucharist. Amen.
SEVEN OFFERINGS
of The PRECIOUS BLOOD
(Recited at the Monastery during
the Night Prayers of the Sisters
Adorers of the Precious Blood)
ETERNAL FATHER, I offer Thee the
merits of the Most Precious Blood
of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my
Redeemer, for the propagation and
exaltation of my dear Mother, the Holy
Church, for the safety and prosperity
of her visible Head, the Holy Roman
Pontiff, for the cardinals, bishops and
pastors of souls and for all the ministers
of the sanctuary.
Glory be to the Father, ...
Blessed and praised forevermore
be Jesus, Who hath saved us by
His Precious Blood!