ON WEDNESDAY, OR AT SEXT
Tender Lord! 1. At that hour Thou wast
forsaken for my sake of all men; 2. Thy friends had renounced Thee; 3. Thou
stoodst naked and robbed of all honour and raiment; 4. Thy power then seemed
overcome; 5. They treated Thee without mercy, and Thou didst bear it all in
meekness and silence; 6. Alas, for Thy gentle heart, Thou who alone didst know
at that time the depth of Thy Mother's sorrow of heart; 7. And didst see her
deplorable state; 8. And didst hear her lamentable words; 9. And at Thy mortal
separation didst commend her to the filial piety of Thy disciple; 10. And the
disciple to her maternal love.
Oh therefore, Thou pattern of all virtues, take
away from me all pernicious love of men, and all inordinate affection of
friends; strip me of all impatience; give me steadfastness against all evil
spirits, and meekness against all violent men. Give me, gentle Lord, Thy bitter
death in the bottom of my heart, in my prayers, and in the practice of good
works. O tender Lord, I commend myself this day to the true fidelity and care
of Thy pure Mother and Thy beloved disciple.
[Here say a Salve Regina or an Ave Maria.]
O pure and tender Mother, I shall remind thee
today of the infinite sorrow of heart which thou didst endure.--1. At the first
aspect of thy dear Child when thou didst see Him suspended in agony; 2. Thou
couldst not then come to Hiss assistance; 3. Thou didst gaze in anguish of
heart at thy beloved Son expiring before thine eyes; 4. Thou didst lament over
Him with great lamentation; 5. And He comforted thee very kindly; 6. His divine
words pierced thy heart; 7. Thy lamentable gestures softened the hard hearts of
the Jews; 8. Thy maternal arms and hands were most reverentially lifted up; 9.
But thy sick body sank exhausted on the ground; 10. Where thy tender mouth did
affectionately kiss His fallen blood.
Oh, then Mother of all graces, watch over me like
a mother for my whole life, and graciously shield me in the hour of my death. O
gentle Lady! behold, that is the hour for the sake of which I desire to be thy
servant all my days. That is the dreadful hour which frightens my heart and
soul, for then there will be an end to prayer and supplication. Then shall I,
poor wretch, not know to whom to turn. Therefore, thou unfathomable abyss of
divine compassion, I fall at thy feet this day with the fervent sighs of my
heart, that I may then be found worthy of thy joyous presence. How should he
ever despond, or what can injure him whom here, O purest Mother, thou dost
protect? Ah, thou only consolation, defend me against the terrible looks of the
wicked spirits, lend me aid and protection against the hands of the enemy!
Hearken consolingly to my wretched sighs, look kindly with the eyes of thy
compassion on my ghastly and enfeebled frame. Reach me thy beneficent hands.
Receive my poor soul. With thy radiant countenance present it before the severe
Judge, and install it in everlasting bliss!