Virgo Potens

2 of 2 Tuesday in Holy Week — The Thirst upon the Cross 1. There is nothing that causes such agonizing thirst as loss of blood. The prayer of the wounded soldier upon the battlefield is always for a drink of water; he forgets all other pains in his burning thirst. What must have been the intolerable suffering of Our Lord, Whose sacred Body had been gradually drained of every droop of blood ! All day long the blood had been flowing— at the scourging, on the way to Calvary, as He was dragged hither and thither, with the sharp cords cutting His wrists. And now upon the cross, as from hands and feet a stream bedewed the ground, fiercer and fiercer grew the burning, parching thirst which con sumed Him. O my Jesus, was there none to quench that thirst endured for us? 2. Our Lord's thirst was to atone especially for the sins of intemperance and self-indulgence in drink. Every sin of drunkenness and excess or self-indulgence in our food and drink added to that thirst and made it still more intolerable. My God, forgive me any such offences, and help me to deny myself some lawful indulgence, that so I may atone for my sins and assuage in some degree that sacred thirst Thou didst endure for me. 3. There was, however, a deeper meaning in Our Lord's cry: "I thirst!” He was thirsting for the souls of sinners, thirsting for the love of ungratefulmen, thirsting for my love. He thirsts for it still, that I may be more faithful to His grace. O my Jesus, help me to love Thee more! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 15th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Tuesday in Holy Week — The Thirst upon the Cross Read St. John xix. 28, 29 Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth. (continued)

2 of 2 SALUTATION OF THE WOUND IN THE SHOULDER OF JESUS O Most loving Jesus, meekest Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most sacred Wound of the shoulder on which thou didst bear thy heavy cross, which so tore thy Flesh and laid bare thy Bones as to inflict on thee an anguish greater than any other wound of thy most blessed Body. I adore thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise thee, I bless and glorify thee, and give thee thanks for this most sacred and most painful Wound; beseeching thee, by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of thy heavy cross, to be merciful to me a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and all my venial sins, and to lead me on towards heaven along the way of thy cross. Amen. ~ Preces Gertrudianæ (1861)

❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ SALUTATION OF THE WOUND IN THE SHOULDER OF JESUS It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard once asked our Lord, which was his greatest unrecorded suffering, and that our Lord condescended to answer: I had on my shoulder, while I bore my cross on the way of sorrows, a most grievous wound, which was more painful to me than the others, and which is not recorded by men because they knew not of it. Honour this wound with thy devotion, and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through its virtue and merit. And in regard of all those who shall venerate this wound, I will remit to them all their venial sins, and will no more remember their mortal sins. ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ (continued)

2 of 2 ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS FIRST OFFERING ALMIGHTY and eternal God, unfailing Fountain of mercy, who dost not despise those that come unto Thee, notwithstanding their unworthiness, but dost cleanse them from their sins; behold, I, a sinner, weighed down beneath a grievous burden of sins, confess to Thee in the spirit of humility and with a contrite heart, that I have been exceedingly ungrateful to Thee my God, and have offended Thee in manifold ways. But now I come to Thee, and prostrate myself before Thee with true contrition, and implore Thy mercy. And as I have nothing of greater worth to offer Thee in satisfaction for my sins than the most holy Life and Passion of Thy Son, therefore I offer Thee that surpassing love wherewith Thy Only-begotten took on Him our nature, and during three-and-thirty years endured so many toils and fatigues, so much anguish and woe, for our sake; and I make this offering to Thee through the sweetest Heart of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Ghost, and for all the sins which I have committed from my birth upwards even to this hour, with the full consent of my will and the delectation of my heart. I offer Thee the apprehension and the sorrowfulness which He felt when He said: My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. I offer Thee that sweat of blood which impetuous love and thrilling anguish wrung from His sacred Body, and that thrice-repeated prayer which He poured forth to Thee from the midst of His Agony. I offer Thee His ignominious bondage, His stripes and bruises, His insults and blasphemies, His blows and buffetings, the plucking out of His hair, and the spitting on His adorable face, which He endured in the houses of Annas and of Caiaphas in that same night; and setting forth all these before Thee with gratitude and lively compassion, I beseech Thine inexhaustible goodness that by their virtue and merit Thou wouldst wash me from my sins, and render me in all things well-pleasing to Thee. Amen. After each of these offerings you may say a Pater Noster. ~ Preces Gertrudianæ (1861)

1 of 2 ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀ FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS Our Lord said to St. Gertrude on one occasion: If you believe that I offered myself to God the Father on the cross, believe also that I now desire with the same love to be daily offered to God the Father for each sinner in particular; so that, however heavy be the load of sins beneath which a man feels himself oppressed, he may take comfort in the hope of pardon if he offer to God the Father my most spotless Passion and Death, and may be assured that he will reap abundant fruit of mercy and indulgence. ❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀

2 of 2 Monday in Holy Week — The Dereliction of Jesus on the Cross 1. Our Lord had for a long time been silent. A thick darkness had gathered; most of the spectators had departed in fear. The mocking Pharisees had been awed to silence. Few were left save the soldiers, St. John, and a faithful group of holy women. All at once a piercing cry from the Divine Sufferer breaks the silence, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me ?" These words were an expression of the thick darkness which Our Lord had permitted to gather round His human soul, and to hide from Him a sit were the face of His Eternal Father. This desolation was by far the greatest of all the unspeakable sufferings of the Son of God. 2. What was its cause? Nothing else but sin. He was made sin for us, and having thus identified Himself with the sins of men so far as was possible for the sinless Lamb of God, He allowed Himself to experience to the utmost degree that He could the awful misery which is the consequence of sin — the black, dark hopelessness (if the word is a lawful one) which results to the sinner whom God forsakes. This consequence of sin Jesus took upon Himself to save men from the eternal remorse and despair which otherwise would have been their lot. 3. This cry of Jesus is a model prayer for us in times of darkness and desolation. We sometimes feel as if God had forsaken us, and cry out in our misery and sore distress. We are always safe in echoing Jesus' words, and He Who hears us use them will remember His own dereliction and help us in ours. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 14th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Monday in Holy Week — The Dereliction of Jesus on the Cross Read St. Mark xv. 33-36 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of the standers by hearing, said: Behold he calleth Elias. And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar, and putting it upon a reed, gave him to drink, saying: Stay, let us see if Elias come to take him down. (continued)

Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi; quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemísti mundum. An indulgence of 3 years. days (S. P. Ap., Feb. 2, 1934). The faithful who recite the Apostle’s Creed in conjunction with the above short prayer in a spirit of devotion to the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ, are granted: An indulgence of 10 years; A plenary indulgence once a month under the usual conditions for the daily recitation of the same. (S. P. Ap., Feb. 20, 1934). ~ The Raccolta (1943)

2 of 2 The Sixth Sunday in Lent — Jesus Commends His Disciples to His Holy Mother's Care 1. Our Divine Saviour did not depart from those He loved without providing them with a Mother who should be their Consoler, their Protector, their Advocate with God. In the person of St. John, He intrusted them all to Mary's care. If He had simply been providing Mary with a home, He would first have addressed St. John and commended to him the pious task of sheltering the Mother of God. By speaking first to Mary, He showed that it was she who was to shelter all those who were desolate and in sorrow. St.John was the representative of all who love Jesus, when Jesus said to Mary respecting him, "Woman, behold thy son." 2. This was the occasion when Our Lady for a second time became a mother. The birth of her first-begotten Jesus cost her no pang of travail; the birth of her spiritual children, the sinful sons of men, brought to her unspeakable anguish. The Queen of heaven became the Queen of Dolors before she could earn the right to exercise over each of us a mother's fostering care. How we ought to value the privilege of being her children, when it cost Mary such unspeakable suffering! 3. When Jesus said to Mary, "Woman, be hold thy son," He asked Our Lady to regard us with a mother's love for His sake. Her love for Him was to be transferred to us, without, however, becoming one whit the less. She was to love us for Jesus' sake; to show her love for Him by loving us. Withbwhat perfect confidence can we go to Mary, who sees in each of us, in spite of our sins, the image of her Divine Son! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 13th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Sixth Sunday in Lent — Jesus Commends His Disciples to His Holy Mother's Care Read St. John xix. 25-27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. continued)

SALUTATION OF THE WOUND IN THE SIDE OF JESUS O LORD Jesus, compassionate Pelican, who hast cleansed us unclean in thine own Blood, I give thee thanks for the sweet and adorable Wound of love which thou didst receive on the cross, when thine all conquering love opened thy sweet-flowing Side, and wounded thy most sacred Heart with an arrow of love. Blessed for ever be that life-giving stroke and that most hallowed Wound; and blessed be the adorable Blood, and the water of salvation which gushed forth from it, to wash away all our sins! Wash me, unclean, O compassionate Jesus, in that cleansing water; anoint my feeble soul, and quicken it with that sacred Blood; and grant that at my last hour my portion and heritage may be but one drop of that divine stream. O most loving Jesus, by thy pierced Heart, I pray thee, wound my heart with that arrow of love; so that nothing of earth may abide in it more, but that it be filled with thy glowing love alone for ever. Amen. ~ Preces Gertrudianæ (1861)

Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving Lord, I give Thee thanks for that Thou didst die upon the Cross for my sins (St. Paul of the Cross). An indulgence of 300 days. A plenary indulgence under the usual conditions if this invocation is repeated daily for a month. (S. P. Ap., Jan. 18, 1918 and March 10, 1933). ~ The Raccolta (1943)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 12th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Saturday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent — The Good Thief Read St. Luke xxiii. 39-43 And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art condemned under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.   1. Among those who mocked and derided Jesus were the two thieves crucified with Him. But very soon His unspeakable gentleness and meekness touched the heart of one of the two. First he ceased his words of insult, then he boldly reproved his companion and bore testimony to the innocence of Jesus, and to His authority as King and Lord. What a divine power there is in weakness! The sight of the uncomplaining patience of Christ convinced this robber that He was King of all the earth, and that He Who now was dying on the cross would soon reign forever and ever. "Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy kingdom!” 2. Remember me! This was his simple prayer. But we know that it was enough. If Christ remembers us, all will be well. What we have to dread is lest He forget us by reason of our having forgotten Him. This prayer should often be on our lips: "O Lord, remember me! In the hour of temptation, remember me! When sorrow bears hard on me, remember me! In sickness and in my last agony, O Lord, remember me!" 3. Our Lord answers this prayer of the gocd thief with divine generosity. All his sins are forgiven him; and as soon as his agony is over, he is to be received into the company of the blest and to be with Christ in paradise. What a rich reward for his confession of Christ! What a glorious answer to his prayer that Christ will remember him! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

FRUITS of MEDITATION on the PASSION of CHRIST ~ We Cooperate with Our Lord In The Salvation Of Souls ~ “Every time my face is contemplated, I will pour out my love into the heart of those persons and by means of My Holy Face the salvation of many souls will be obtained.” ~ Our Lord to Blessed Maria Pierina, 1936, First Friday of Lent

2 of 2 Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Holy Mary, Pray for us. [This response continues for each line below.] Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother crucified, Mother sorrowful, Mother tearful, Mother afflicted, Mother forsaken, Mother desolate, Mother bereft of thy Child, Mother transfixed with the sword, Mother consumed with grief, Mother filled with anguish, Mother crucified in heart, Mother most sad, Fountain of tears, Accumulation of suffering, Mirror of patience, Rock of consistency, Anchor of confidence, Refuge of the forsaken, Shield of the oppressed, Subduer of the unbelieving, Comfort of the wretched, Medicine of the sick, Strength of the weak, Harbor of the wrecked, Allayer of tempests, Resource of mourners, Terror of the treacherous, Treasure of the faithful, Eye of Prophets, Staff of Apostles, Crown of Martyrs, Light of Confessors, Pearl of Virgins, Consolation of Widows, Joy of all Saints, Pray for us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world : Spare us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world : Graciously hear us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world : Have mercy on us, O Jesus. Look down upon us, deliver us from all trouble in the power of Jesus Christ. Amen. Imprint, O Lady, thy wound upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love : sorrow, to endure every sorrow for thee; love, to despise every love for thee. (Conclude with a Credo, Salve Regina and three Aves in honor of the Most Holy Heart of Mary.) ~ Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., Kyrie Eleison - Two Hundred Litanies (1944)

1 of 2 Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows (Composed by Pope Pius VII) Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. (continued)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 11th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Friday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent — The Deriding of Jesus Read St. Matthew xxvii. 39-44 And they that passed by, blasphemed him, wagging their heads, And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God. And the selfsame thing the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached him with. 1. The sight of Jesus hanging on the cross, so far from melting the hearts of the Jews, only hardened them the more against Him. Instead of feeling pity, they rejoiced over their Victim, and insulted Him in His misery. When men deliberately refuse to listen to the voice of Jesus, they become quite insensible after a time to His claim on them. They think evil good, and good evil; they are given over to a reprobate mind. Even in little things those who do not obey the impulses of grace become deaf to its calls, or even feel a positive aversion for that which they once loved but have now rejected. 2. How apparently impotent to save Himself the King of Glory seems to be! But that weakness is true strength. It is by these outrages and insults, by this passive endurance of their jeers and gibes, that Christ Our Lord is doing the wondrous work of our Redemption, and earning graces for all those who suffer insult for Him, to rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer shame for His sake. 3. But He is doing more than this. He is also preparing for His sacred humanity a glory corresponding to all this ignominy. Of Him it is true beyond all others that he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Each taunt, each mocking word, was to earn the praise of the angels and saints to all eternity. Here is an encouragement for us! What matters it if men despise and insult us, if God approves? The just Judge will not forget in the day of account what we have suffered for Him. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us. Virgo dolorosíssima, ora pro nobis. An indulgence of 300 days. An indulgence of 5 years, if, in honor of the B. V. M. Sorrowing, the Hail Mary is recited 7 times followed by the above invocation once (S. P. Ap., Nov. 22, 1934)30. ~ The Raccolta (1957)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 10th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Thursday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent — Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Read St. Luke xxiii. 32-34 And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there; and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots. 1. Arrived at the summit of Calvary, our Divine Saviour is roughly stripped of His garments and exposed to the rude gaze of the scoffing multitude. This shame He endured to atone for our most shameful deeds, for our human respect, for our glorying in our shame, for our boasting and love of display before the eyes of men. Yet when we see the King of Glory thus exposed to shame, will not shame be far dearer to us than the empty honors that men bestow? 2. The executioners then seize Jesus and lay Him down upon the cross. Holes have been bored in the wood at the extremities of the cross-piece and in the lower part of the stem, and Our Lord's sacred limbs are almost dislocated by being dragged until the hands and feet reach the parts that have been pierced. Then the long, sharp nails are held by one of the soldiers, while another with a hammer drives them in through the hands and feet of Jesus. The blows are struck; the blood gushes forth; while the Divine Victim moans piteously under the exquisite pain. O Jesus, grant me a heartfelt compassion with Thee in Thy sufferings. 3. When Our Lord is nailed to the cross, the soldiers raise it on high, and let the base of it fall into a hole dug in the ground. The shock renews afresh the agony ofJesus. No word is heard from His mouth, save one which He repeats again and again: "Father, forgive them!" Even then He was thinking of others, not of Himself. Was ever love like His? Why do I not love Him more in return? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)