We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee, because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Meditation: Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.
Prayer: My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who wast overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by thy intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
“Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.” When Our Lady accepted to be the Mother of God, she accepted all the trials and sorrows of that office. Simeon told her in the temple that a sword would pierce her heart. She knew what was to come; that it was the will of God and that it was necessary. Therefore it must be her will too. The most perfect creature ever made conformed her will and desires to that of her Creator and endured excruciating pain along this journey. How can I not? Can you imagine this meeting of the two? Mary was there from the beginning even to the bitter end, past the bitter end. She kept all these things in her pierced heart and offered her suffering to God. It is impossible to separate Our Lady from the Via Dolorosa. In our own little way of the cross, remember that our Mother is walking beside us and has no greater desire than that we be united with her Son in eternity.
Christ above in torment hangs, She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying, glorious Son.
