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Engraving by Giuseppe Angeli -- 1778
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V: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.
R: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world
At length He has arrived at the place of
sacrifice, and they begin to prepare Him for the Cross. His garments are
torn from His bleeding body, and He, the Holy of Holiest, stands exposed
to the gaze of the coarse and scoffing multitude.
O Thou who in Thy Passion wast stripped
of all Thy clothes, and held up to the curiosity and mockery of the rabble,
strip me of myself here and now, that in the Last Day I come not to shame
before men and Angels. Thou didst endure the shame on Calvary, that I might
be spared the shame of the Judgment. Thou hadst nothing to be ashamed of
personally, and the shame which Thou didst feel was because Thou hadst
taken on Thee man's nature. When they took from Thee Thy garments, those
innocent limbs of Thine were but objects of humble and loving adoration
to the highest Seraphim. They stood aroud in speechless awe, wondering
at Thy beauty, and they trembled at Thy infinite self-abasement. But I,
O Lord, how shall I appear if thou shalt hold me up hereafter to be gazed
upon, stripped of that robe of grace which is Thine, and seen in my own
personal life and nature? O how hideous I am in myself, even in my best
estate. Even when I am cleansed from my mortal sins, what disease and corruption
is seen even in my venial sins. How shall I be fit for the society of Angels,
how for Thy presence, until Thou burnest this foul leprosy away in the
fire of Purgatory?
Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...
V: Jesus Christ Crucified.
R: Have mercy on Us.
V: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of
God rest in peace.
R: Amen
The Stations of the Cross, John Henry Cardinal Newman
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