Meditation for Wednesday ()4/01/26)

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Wednesday

The Last Words of Jesus on the Cross

“And 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. Jesus, therefore, when He had taken the vinegar, said: ‘It is consummated’ and bowing His head, He gave up the Ghost” (John 19, 28-30).

First Prelude: In spirit take your stand beneath the cross of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and with profound respect and love hear His sacred words.

Second Prelude: O my beloved Saviour, I pray Thee, implant deeply in my heart the sacred lessons that Thou wouldst teach me from the cross.

First Point

“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”

Suffering intense agony, Christ hangs upon the cross. Nowhere does He find refreshment or relief and, yet, in such exceeding agony He is mindful, in His infinite love, of the salvation of others. He prays for His executioners, promises paradise to the penitent thief, gives us His holy Mother, and consoles His beloved friends. Still, no one seems to think of Him. No one offers Him even a slight alleviation. He looks down to earth and finds Himself forsaken; He raises His eyes to heaven and thence, even, no aid is nigh. In His extreme death-struggle, Jesus cries with a loud voice: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”

Oh, what must Mary’s heart have suffered when she heard this cry of anguish from the lips of her dying Son! She comprehended better than anyone else the immensity and bitterness of the grief that Jesus would reveal to the whole world in that awful cry. He would make known the full measure of His inward and invisible pain and with it, the greatness of His love for us, together with His ardent desire to be loved by us in return. If we would, in some measure, realize the inexpressible benefit that Christ conferred upon us in this mystery of mercy, let us consider what it means to be forsaken by God. By our sins we have deserved to be rejected by Him for all eternity but by His extreme abandonment on the cross, Christ willed to preserve us from being totally abandoned by God forever. He merited, for sinners, the grace never to be wholly deserted by God during life. He, likewise, merited for us grace to bear trials and reverses, abandonment by creatures and apparent dereliction. Oh, what thanks do we owe Jesus for such love! With what fidelity must we serve Him in life, that we may not be forsaken by Him in the all-important and decisive hour of death! What is my conduct when I am forgotten by creatures, and when God also withdraws His sensible consolation?

Second Point

The Last Words of Jesus

Having taken vinegar and gall, offered to Him in answer to His cry: “I thirst,” Jesus said: “It is consummated.” Oh, sublime word of my Saviour, glorious message of victory, that fills heaven with joy, earth with peace, and hell with fear and trembling! How happy are we that Jesus has consummated our redemption! Now does the Blood of Jesus powerfully cry to heaven entreating pardon for us; the anger of the Eternal Father is appeased; justice has been transformed into mercy.

May we be able to say in our last hour: I have accomplished the Divine Will in my regard? With confiding trust we shall then be able to repeat that other word of Jesus, “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” Let us for a moment ponder the weight of the word, “It is consummated.” Must we not tremble at the thought of our weakness, since we are so blind to understand and so slow to accomplish the Divine Will? Let us even now commend to the heavenly Father our utter blindness that He may enlighten us; our misery that He may relieve it. Let us implore Him to direct all things to His honor, that, according to the example of His divine Son, we may accomplish His Will in all things. May I be able to say with assurance at the close of each day: I have accomplished everything enjoined upon me by obedience.

Affections: O my beloved Saviour, Thou wilt empty to the very dregs the chalice of abasement and suffering offered Thee by Thy Father. To rescue me from hell, and to make me share in Thy heavenly bliss, Thou dost strip Thyself of all divine consolations, and plungest Thy soul into the abyss of the bitterest desolation. O sweetest Jesus, what sacrifices shall I, poor sinner, make in thanksgiving for such an incalculable benefit, such boundless love? Thou, O my Saviour, hast accomplished everything that could redound to the honor of Thy heavenly Father, and my sanctification. Permit me not to die without having achieved Thy merciful designs. Grant me a true hunger and thirst for Thy love and my perfection, that when departing this life I can say with assurance: “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.”

Resolution: I will perform all my actions in a spirit of love and obedience.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Father, into Thy hands, I commend my spirit.”

Prayer: Our Father. . .

 

Meditation fort Tuesday 03/31/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

MEDITATION FOR TUESDAY

JESUS ON THE CROSS IS MOCKED AND PRAYS FOR HIS ENEMIES

“And they passed by, blaspheming 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 in Him’” (Matt. 27, 39-42).

First Prelude: Behold our Blessed Saviour on the cross, suffering the most excruciating torments, mocked and blasphemed by the passers-by.

Second Prelude: O Jesus, grant me grace to realize the baseness of human pride, to expiate which Thou didst will to suffer so much.

FIRST POINT

OUR BLESSED LORD ON THE CROSS, MOCKED AND BLASPHEMED

The more our Lord manifested the excess of His love, the more were His enemies urged to vent the excess of their malice and hatred upon Him. Enduring the most violent torments, He was reviled and mocked not only by the executioners, but also by the high priests and scribes, the populace and the soldiers. His sacred words were misinterpreted; He was reviled as having helped others, but being unable to help Himself. They promised to believe in Him if He would come down from the cross. Oh, how painful to His Sacred Heart must have been such blasphemous, impious language! Jesus hung on the wood, tortured by inexpressible pain, at the point of the most excruciating death. While His Blood streamed from countless wounds, those malicious tongues pierced, as with poisoned arrows, His loving Heart. How painful, too, that the very words He had so often spoken for the benefit and consolation of human kind were now made the object of contempt and ridicule—that these souls, for whom He had shed His Blood, rejected the bountiful redemption!

For some time the reviling and blaspheming had continued, mockery had been added to mockery, and still the Lamb of God opened not His mouth, but observed a profound silence. Jesus consummated the work of the redemption. He drank the chalice of suffering to the very dregs; He descended not from the cross, but suffered as universal Victim for all, prayed as a sacrificial Priest for all. Oh, that we would realize the culpability of our pride, since to atone for it, Jesus had to endure ignominy, ridicule and contempt! Let us consider that, suffering on the cross, Jesus merited for us the grace to subjugate pride, and to resemble Him, our Lord and Master, in humility.

Do I perceive in my heart at least the desire to conform to the meek and loving Heart of Jesus satiated with opprobrium?

SECOND POINT

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS ENEMIES

After a long silence, Jesus opened His blessed lips and spoke the ever memorable and tender words: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23, 34). He prayed for those that persecuted and reviled Him. Our Blessed Lord thus teaches us, not only by His words but more particularly by His example, that we should: “Do good to them that hate you and pray for them that calumniate and revile you” (Matt. 5, 44). His Precious Blood cries to heaven for vengeance, but His loving Heart cries out for pardon. Does not such generous love condemn the least bitterness that we might harbor against our neighbor! What are the offences that might be committed against us, when compared with the atrocities, the injustice heaped upon the Son of God, which Jesus, nevertheless, excused in His enemies when He said: “They know not what they do!” We, too, were the object of Christ’s prayer, because every sinner is guilty of His death. Must not such a petition on the lips of the dying Saviour incite us to true compunction and inflame us with ardent love! Moreover, to what extent must not our confidence increase in a Saviour Who lovingly defends and justifies us when He might justly accuse and chastise? He remembers not our iniquities, not the gravity of our sins, but draws the attention of the heavenly Father to our weakness, to our thoughtlessness, to our ignorance. Let us thank Him from the bottom of our heart for such love, and, contritely and in all humility, acknowledge our guilt, that on the Day of Judgment Jesus may Himself be our vindication. When an opportunity presents itself, we, too, will lovingly excuse others, and thus merit the special favor of God, and garner a rich harvest of heavenly gifts.

Am I of the number of those who seek to magnify the faults of others, or do I, according to the example of Jesus, try to find a reason for excusing at least the intention of the erring one?

Affections: O Blessed Saviour, what lessons Thou impartest to me from the height of the cross! Thou endurest the most excruciating pain in Thy whole Body, and at the same time Thy Sacred Heart is satiated with opprobrium. Oh, that I would never forget that it was my sins of pride, of vain-glory and ambition that imposed upon Thee, my beloved Saviour, such a heavy sacrifice of atonement. I behold Thee, O Jesus, accepting all the bitterness of the contempt, the reviling and the pains, in order to present to me the sweetness of Thy mercy and love. I pray Thee, let the sentiments of Thy Heart pass over into mine,—give me a truly humble and contrite heart, that I may be made worthy to participate in the blessed fruits of Thy prayer and learn of Thee to be patient and forbearing with others.

Resolution: To honor Jesus, mocked on the Cross, I will be humbly silent under reprimands, and according to His example, lovingly excuse the faults of others.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Prayer: Our Father . . .

Meditation for Monday 03/30/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Monday

The Inscription of The Cross

“And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin” (John 19, 19–20).

First Prelude: In spirit take your stand beneath the cross and read Pilate’s inscription.

Second Prelude: O Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, teach me, by true humility of heart to subject myself to Thy benign sway.

By a singular providence of God, Pilate had affixed to the cross an inscription which he had dictated in three different languages, in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” By this inscription God willed to manifest the Messianic character of Christ’s mission. Jesus hung on the cross as our Saviour and Redeemer. This appellation is truly a title of honor for our Blessed Lord. He had assumed it in the circumcision, had verified it during the course of His life in all His actions, healing all manner of infirmities and working other prodigies. Now that He hangs on the cross He declares Himself publicly in the face of the whole world as Jesus and Saviour, a name which is inexpressibly dear to Him and also to us. He purchased it at the price of His Precious Blood, and by means of it He bestows on mankind consolation, protection and help in all the needs of life and death. “Jesus of Nazareth,” reads the inscription by which Jesus would announce to all that He is the Nazarene—that is, the Holy One, Who atoned not for personal guilt but for the sins of the world. This title, further, testified to His profound humility. He had assumed His human nature in Nazareth, had spent many years there in seclusion as lowly artisan. Nazareth was despised by the Jews and for that very reason the Saviour willed even on the cross to be proclaimed “Jesus of Nazareth.”

This superscription of the cross conveys a touching lesson deserving earnest consideration. Let us ask, first of all, whether we suffer Jesus full sway to exercise His office as Redeemer in our regard, and whether we endeavor to render ourselves worthy of the fruits of His passion. Let us bear in mind that purity of heart and humility are the channels through which Christ’s superabundant merits will flow. These virtues, moreover, are incumbent upon us, in a particular manner, as religious, as spouses of Christ. Do I aim to resemble my Divine Model in loving to be esteemed as naught in the eyes of the world, or must I admit,—to my shame,—that I try to conceal my faults and display to advantage any possible good I may do?

This inscription should indicate the cause of Christ’s sentence. Pilate, who had lacked courage to uphold his authority against the excited multitude, now delighted to find occasion for avenging himself by writing on the tablet designed to publish the crime of which Jesus was found guilty, besides “Jesus of Nazareth,” also “King of the Jews.” The chosen people had rejected their King; by means of this superscription the heathen Judge must solemnly proclaim Him King of all those whom Christ, by His death on the cross, had redeemed from the slavery of Satan and united into one grand kingdom of God. All nations should adore Him. He should be at once their King, their Judge and their Lord. None could dispute His scepter and crown. He is risen, the Apostle observes, to rule over the living and the dead, and daily we confess with Holy Church in the Creed “and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.” He is the invisible Head of the Church, Who rules over all the faithful by the sweet reign of His grace. To Him, in His own words, is given all power in heaven and on earth. Let us choose Him King of our heart and subject it to Him in humble obedience, abandoning ourselves wholly to Him in childlike trust. Let us rejoice in the honor accorded to the holy cross. This sacred symbol of our salvation towers high above our Churches; before it all peoples kneel in reverence; by the sign of the cross, Satan’s power is crushed. Let us adore our mighty and yet so humble King, Who from the height of the cross rules the world.

Am I of the number of those who choose Christ their King, but who flee from His cross, His poverty, His abasement, and His sufferings?

Affections: Profoundly I adore Thee, O Jesus of Nazareth, my Saviour and Redeemer, Whose death is the source of our life, and tender Thee the homage of humble reverence and heartfelt gratitude. Thou art truly Heaven’s King, the King of the humble and lowly, who turn to Thee by sincere compunction and penance, calling upon Thy holy name. Would that I could say that Thou art in truth the Ruler of my heart, that I have immolated all to Thee that I am and have! O my crucified Jesus, prostrate at Thy feet I pray Thee: Take possession of my heart and annihilate therein whatever is opposed to the power of Thy love. Conquer the hearts of all men, O divine King, that all may be subject to Thy sweet reign and one day be found worthy to enter the kingdom of Thy eternal love and glory.

Resolution: I will today render homage to my divine King by frequent acts of humility and adoration.

Spiritual Bouquet: “In the name of Jesus let every knee bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .

Meditation for Palm Sunday 03/29/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Palm Sunday

Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

“And on the next day, a great multitude that was come to the festival day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried: ‘Hosanna, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel,’” (John 12, 12-13).

First Prelude: Behold Jesus entering Jerusalem triumphantly mid the shouts of acclamation of the multitudes.

Second Prelude: O King, meek and gentle, subject my heart wholly to Thee that Thou mayest take full possession of it in Holy Communion.

First Point

Our Blessed Lord, Who loved humility, Who had always fled splendor and renown, nevertheless willed, five days before His passion, to enter Jerusalem triumphantly and to accept the tokens of veneration bestowed upon Him so generously. Jesus entered upon His passion, not only with patient resignation, but with a heroism truly triumphant, He embraced sufferings and the cross, to atone for our sins. A further cause of Christ’s triumph was the fact that He would give us the greatest proofs of His love by the institution of the Blessed Eucharist and by His death on Calvary. Such were the causes of His exultation.

How unlike His sentiments are those of the disciples! Believing that now the time was come when their Master would found an earthly kingdom, whose princes they fondly hoped to be, they rejoiced to see their Master thus exalted. How far above our petty human conceptions are the adorable thoughts of God! The disciples of Christ have nothing to await in this life but crosses and sufferings. With our Blessed Saviour, they must shoulder tribulations and hardships, must renounce much that flatters their sensible appetites and, in imitation of Jesus, cheerfully accept sufferings and esteem them as a mark of honor and renown. Thus acted the martyrs, who went to death joyfully, as it were, to a nuptial feast. Should it be impossible for us to shoulder sufferings courageously because we often feel a strong desire to evade them, let us in all humility acknowledge our utter weakness and pray the Lord to give us a truly generous heart. What are my sentiments? Are they the sentiments of my Blessed Saviour, Who eagerly longs for His passion? Or, do I, like the Apostles, then still weak and timid, seek honors and sensible gratifications?

Second Point

The joy and exultation of the populace at Christ’s triumphal entry is symbolic of the dispositions with which we should receive Him in Holy Communion. Has not the prophet said also to us: “Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of her that is used to the yoke” (Matt. 21, 5). Oh, that we recognized this King and the meekness and love with which He comes to us! Each one of us can truly say: Behold your King comes to you from heaven, to be your comfort, your help, your protection, but also your model and exemplar. Ah, not as did the people on that day of Christ’s triumphal procession, but with all our hearts, we will cast ourselves at His feet and surrender ourselves to His love.

Let us immolate to Him even our evil habits, our disordered tendencies, all expressions of self-will, our natural affections, and we, too, will be permitted to join in the triumphal procession bearing the palm of victory, and with the children and the multitude, sing the “Hosanna” with all the ardor of a love-inflamed heart. Our Divine Saviour longs to enter our hearts in triumph, to rule therein without force or severity, solely by love and the sweet influence of His divine presence. Oh, that the very stones of our insufficiency and hardness of heart would proclaim His praises! Let us silence His opponents and enemies, self-love, pride, vanity—the vast array of our passions—that He may reign as King, Redeemer and Bridegroom. Oh, may we never in the least have any part with the inconstant populace, who so shortly after the triumphal entry proved unfaithful! In what does my preparation for Holy Communion consist? Do I consider a few prayers a sufficient preparation?

Affections: O Divine Redeemer, King of Eternal Glory, even before the combat Thou wouldst celebrate a glorious triumph, to teach us that Thou wert by no means coerced to suffer, but didst go into death as to a feast of rejoicing, of Thy own free Will, for the honor of Thy Father and our salvation. Such was the power and might of Thy infinite love! Thou wouldst not enter Jerusalem in pomp and power, as an earthly monarch, but meek and gentle, as the Conqueror of sin and death, as the Prince of Peace, the Ruler of hearts, in which Thou wilt establish the kingdom of Thy mercy and grace. How good art Thou to the truly humble and obedient! How gladly dost Thou enter their hearts! Cleanse my heart, O Lord, of all sin and take from it every inordinate affection, that Thou canst fully possess it, and rule therein as Thou reignest in heaven and in the hearts of all the faithful on earth.

Resolution: I will frequently beg my Saviour to take full possession of my heart and impress on it His love of the cross.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

Meditation for Saturday (03/28/26)

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Saturday

The Soldiers Cast Lot for the Garments of Jesus

“The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Him, took His garments (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part), and also His coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said then one to another: ‘Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be’: that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saying: ‘They have parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture they have cast lots’” (John 19, 23–24).

First Prelude: Behold our Blessed Saviour, hanging on the cross, stripped of His garments.

Second Prelude: Lord Jesus, give me grace to disengage my heart from all earthly things and to give it wholly to Thee.

First Point

“They have parted My garments among them”

Our Blessed Saviour had voiced the complaint through the prophet of old, that His garments should be parted and a lot cast upon His vesture. What grief must it have caused Christ’s divinely loving Heart, elevated as He was on the cross, to see the ruthless soldiers seize His garments, even before He expired! The soldiers were, in truth, ignorant of the infinite value of their treasure! Had they known these garments to be those of the Incarnate Son of God, the Saviour of the world, Whose mere touch had cured the sick, how they would have treasured and venerated them! St. John and the holy women were filled with grief to see these precious garments, “dyed with the Blood of the Lamb,” fall into the hands of the godless soldiers.

What would not Mary have done, had it been permitted her to guard the adorable Blood of Christ against desecration! Without doubt, we owe it to the prayers of our Blessed Mother that the Saviour’s garments were again restored to the friends of Jesus. To her prayers we owe the happiness and consolation of being able to bestow upon these blessed garments the veneration of our love and gratitude. But are not similar sufferings inflicted on our Divine Saviour even in our day? As of old, the Precious Blood clinging to Christ’s garments was desecrated by godless hands, so now in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar His love is spurned with even greater malice and contempt. Christ’s infinite love is requited with the blackest ingratitude by such as receive His sacred Body and Blood unworthily; by the godless, who ridicule and revile Him, and heap upon Him all manner of abuses and contempt. What a vast field for contemplation, for reparation and atonement is afforded us! Oh, that we could make fitting reparation and satisfaction to our Saviour’s loving Heart! In union with Mary, the dispenser of the Blood of Christ, and with the friends of her Divine Son, let us offer this Precious Blood in expiation of the horrible crimes committed against the Divine Majesty. Let us resolve anew to honor this priceless Blood, the pledge of our salvation. Let us pray for those who reject Christ’s saving Blood, the Divine price of our redemption. May our souls daily be sprinkled with the Blood of the God-Man, shed for us on Calvary.

Does love for our Blessed Saviour’s priceless Blood impel me strongly to make some return for His infinite love, which spent itself to the last drops of Blood on the cross? Reparation, honor, adoration and thanksgiving be to the Blood of Jesus!

Second Point

Why Jesus willed to be stripped of His garments

It was the purpose of Christ’s life on earth, but more particularly of His death, to teach us contempt of earthly things. Hanging on the cross, He strips Himself of even the last remnant of worldly goods so as to die in the most abject poverty. He would merit grace for us that we may disengage our hearts from material things, renounce all excesses and be content with little. Our Blessed Saviour knew full well that the heart of man is captivated by affection for the vain goods of this world; that many offend God in order to enjoy fleeting earthly pleasures. In so far as we love worldly goods, we disrelish eternal, supernatural treasures. It is impossible for a heart attached to creatures to commune with God in fervent prayer, to love Him with a pure and undivided love.

Let us banish all attachment to creatures, which, at its best, is fraught with anxieties and cares. How peaceful and calm will be the death of those who have been content with little! Even before departing this life, they possess a wealth of heavenly treasures! In imitation of St. Teresa, let us divest ourselves of everything superfluous, and rejoice in being permitted to suffer privations for the love of God.

Affections: What a debt of gratitude do I owe Thee, my Jesus, for the sacrifice of infinite worth Thou didst make for my salvation! From the heights of Calvary, Thou didst see Thy sacred garments contemptuously falling a prey to the rude and vile rabble. Stripped of earthly goods, Thou wouldst depart this life in extreme poverty to make all men heirs to the rich inheritance of Thy Precious Blood. O give us, Thy spouses, grace to fathom the lesson of love Thou wouldst impart in this mystery. Teach us to love and keep our holy vow of poverty in its original lustre, that our hearts, disengaged from earthly ties, may be imbued with Thy holy love, and possess Thee, their sole treasure in time and for eternity.

Resolution: I will gladly renounce all earthly affections that I may be the better prepared to receive an abundance of divine grace and love.

Spiritual Bouquet: “They have parted My garments among them and upon My vesture they have cast lots.”

Prayer: Take, O Lord…

Meditation for Friday 03/27/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Friday

Mary at the Foot of the Cross

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene” (John 19, 25).

First Prelude: Behold the Mother of Dolors standing beneath the cross, contemplating her beloved Son amid inexpressible anguish.

Second Prelude: O Queen of Martyrs, obtain for me the grace, through the virtues that I admire in thee, to sanctify all my sufferings and affections.

First Point — What did Mary suffer?

The prophet Jeremias had foretold that the martyrdom of Mary beneath the cross should be without its counterpart, when he said: “To what shall I compare thee, or to what shall I liken thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? To what shall I equal thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Sion? For great as the sea is thy destruction. Who shall heal thee?” (Lam. 2, 13). Though the martyrs endured great bodily torments, the unction of grace mitigated their sufferings. Mary’s soul was afflicted, however, and her heart pierced by the sword of sorrow, but no ray of consolation lightened her grief. Denied the comfort of offering Him the slightest alleviation, she beheld her only beloved Son die amid inexpressible torments. She heard Him complaining of thirst, and dared not offer Him the least refreshment. Her maternal heart, which, like none other on earth, beat in love for her Son, must have felt deeply the pain of sympathy whose demands she durst not heed. As her love was immeasurable, so was her compassion.

Let us seek to penetrate the immensity of our Blessed Mother’s anguish and pray with Holy Church: “Holy Mother, pierce me through; in my heart each wound renew of my Saviour, Crucified.” Let us confess in all humility that our sins, the cause of the passion of Christ, were the cause of her martyrdom. Let us entreat Mary with all the ardor of our soul, by the merits of her sighs and tears, to obtain for us true contrition for sin. How gladly will this compassionate Mother apply to us the merits and fruits of the death of Jesus! How gladly will Mary assist us in the struggle against sin, and fortify us in the sorrows and tribulations of this mortal life, since for love of us she sacrificed her beloved Son!

Second Point — How did Mary suffer?

Mary resigned herself to the cruel, ignominious death of her Son with wonderful conformity of her will to the Will of the heavenly Father. With heroic constancy she remained beneath the cross till Jesus had consummated His Sacrifice. Silently, without even one word of complaint, she endured all these torments, nor did she betray the least sign of impatience or depression. Though wholly immersed in grief, she stood near the cross without flinching, as the truly “valiant woman.” She suffered all contempt and ridicule to come upon her, that with her Son she might drink the chalice of humiliation to the very dregs. Oh, that the Sorrowful Mother would obtain for us the grace to sanctify all our sufferings and pains by the sentiments imbibed from her holy example! Let us draw from this meditation the spirit of immolation that makes us strong, generous, and persevering, and teaches us the holy art of bearing a cross silently.

Affections: O Mary, Queen of Martyrs and Mother of Mercy, I thank thee with my whole heart for the inexpressible anguish thou didst endure beside the cross of Thy Divine Son. For the salvation of my soul thou didst immolate thy beloved Son, Who was infinitely dearer to thee than life itself. Let me never forget thy great, heroic love. And yet, I am ashamed of my timidity and cowardice at sight of the cross! Divine love, which permeated thy heart and wounded it so deeply, gave thee the strength to bear such immense sufferings. Obtain for me a spark of this strong, magnanimous love, that in my slight sufferings I may persevere courageously with thee at the foot of the cross and consider participation in thy sufferings a source of honor and happiness.

Resolution: In all my sufferings and reverses I will beg the Sorrowful Mother to imbue me with her holy sentiments.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Heart transpierced with pain and woe, set my heart with love aglow.”

Prayer: O most holy and afflicted Virgin Mary . . .

 

Meditation for Thursday 03/26/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Thursday

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

“And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary they crucified Him there, and the robbers, one on the right and the other on the left” (Luke 23, 33).

First Prelude: Behold Mount Calvary, our Divine Saviour. Who willingly extends Himself on the cross, and the executioners.

Second Prelude: O my Jesus, by the love with which Thou didst offer Thy sacred hands and feet to be cruelly pierced, strengthen me to bear all the hardships and trials met with in Thy holy service.

First Point

The Sufferings of Jesus in the Crucifixion

Having reached the top of Calvary, the soldiers stripped our Divine Saviour of His garments, reopening His smarting wounds, and renewing the pain of the scourging. How painful must it have been to the Saviour to be thus cruelly stripped and shamefully exposed to the gaze of the multitude! Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and patiently awaited still greater torments. The sacrificial altar was prepared. The Innocent Victim obeyed without remonstrance, and compliant to the will of His executioners, stretched Himself willingly on the hard wood of the cross to die thereon for the sins of the world. His sacred hands and feet were extended violently and inhumanly nailed to the cross under the terrible blows of the hammer. The muscles contracted in consequence of undue nerve stimulation, and the sacred Blood streamed from the severed veins down the tree of the cross, moistening the ground.

Touched with love and compassion, let us contemplate the inexpressible sufferings of Jesus, His gaping wounds, His almost insupportable position in which the slightest movement must have aggravated His pain. Thus Jesus willed to suffer for our sins. Must we not be moved to the innermost depths of our soul when contemplating such sufferings? Must we not resolve to crucify our flesh by penance and mortification? For the love of Jesus, ought we not at least to accept the crosses imposed upon us by our heavenly Father for our sanctification? Jesus suffered His members to be painfully extended in compliance with the will of His executioners, adjusted Himself to the wood of shame and suffering, but, in perverse self-will, we deem the cross that God has exactly fitted to our strength, too heavy, and imagine a lighter one better fitted to our shoulders. Oh, what little effort do we make to return the intense love of Jesus! How insignificant are our sufferings, our crosses when compared with the inexpressible agony of our dying Saviour on the cross! Lord Jesus show us what Thou wouldst have us suffer for Thee today, in gratitude for Thy incomprehensible love.

Second Point

The Love Jesus Manifested in His Sufferings

The love of Jesus for us is commensurate with the ineffable sacrifice of Calvary, for His immeasurable sufferings testify to a boundless love. Let us once more ponder who it is that loves us so incomprehensibly. It is Jesus, the Joy of angels, the well-beloved Son of the heavenly Father, true God and true Man. From the cross He cries to us: Behold, I have graven thee in My hands with bloody marks, I suffered them to be pierced that your guilty hands may not want the necessary strength for good works, that My strong hands may guide you on the dangerous journey through this life to your heavenly home. For love of you I suffered My feet to be pierced, to merit for you the grace to shun the paths of sin and to walk blamelessly in the way of the commandments and the evangelical counsels.

Let us give thanks to our dear Saviour, and extol His goodness, for such a lasting proof of His incomprehensible, eternal love! At the same time, let us consider that it is meet for us to devote our hands willingly to the difficult tasks of our holy vocation, to raise them cheerfully to prayer after labor and fatigue, and thus to avail ourselves of at least the little opportunities of proving our love to Jesus crucified. Let us gladly bear the burden and heat of the day and spare no efforts to console our suffering Saviour in the person of the poor and the needy. He Who fails not to reward a cup of cold water, will count our steps; and the more we tire ourselves in His service here below, the more blissful will be our repose on His sacred Bosom for all eternity.

Affections: O my crucified Saviour, for love of me Thou endurest such excruciating torments. Can I ponder Thy crucifixion without being moved to the depths of my soul, without bursting into tears of compassion and love! I prostrate myself at Thy feet; I adore Thee, and extol the infinite love which prompted Thee to immolate Thyself for me. O sacred Victim of Atonement, render me worthy to participate in the precious fruits of the redemption. May the continual remembrance of Thy passion be for me a source of devotion, of love, of consolation and true compunction of heart. O my Jesus, by the painful wounds endured for love of me inflame my heart with the fire of Thy divine love as Thou didst inflame the hearts of Thy saints.

Resolution: I will immolate to my Saviour in a spirit of love whatever is repugnant and irksome in the discharge of my duties.

Spiritual Bouquet: “They have pierced My hands and My feet, and they have numbered all My bones” (Is. 21, 17–18).

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . . .

Meditation for Wednesday 03/25/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

MEDITATION FOR WEDNESDAY

OF OUR FOLLOWING JESUS ON THE WAY OF THE CROSS

“And as they led Him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed Him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him” (Luke 23, 26-27).

First Prelude: In spirit follow your cross-laden Saviour through the streets of Jerusalem. Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus carry His cross, and the women of Jerusalem compassionate the Saviour.

Second Prelude: Let me recognize, O my beloved Saviour, with what sentiments I should accompany Thee on the way to Calvary.

FIRST POINT

SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS

Covered with blood, with eyes cast down, the Saviour followed His inhuman executioners to Calvary. How great must have been the exhaustion and extreme weakness of Jesus when His enemies feared that He would not reach the place of punishment alive! Desiring to see Jesus expire on the cross, these miserable wretches compelled Simon of Cyrene to help Him carry His cross.

How must it have pained our beloved Saviour to see not one of His disciples, not one of the many friends whom He had cured and overloaded with favors, ready to confer such a service upon Him, but that a stranger had to be forced to it! At first Simon strove against the honor imposed upon him, considering it an indignity, but soon he was seized with compassion for the Divine Sufferer, and from that moment carried the cross joyfully. Yet, how blessed and meritorious was Simon’s portion in our Blessed Saviour’s cross! For all eternity he will rejoice and give thanks to God for the inestimable grace of having been chosen to carry His cross, through a special dispensation of Divine Providence.

Nothing happens in our life by chance; the loving hand of our heavenly Father directs all things for our good, and frequently utilizes crosses and reverses as channels of the greatest spiritual benefits. Should not love of Jesus inspire us with the desire to confer upon our suffering Saviour a similar favor? Who suffers for love of Jesus, assists Him as did Simon. Those especially render Him such a service of charity who serve Jesus in His poor and His little ones by assisting them to carry meritoriously the cross of poverty, privations, and every form of human affliction. If the cross of our vocation should seem to weigh heavily upon us, let us bear in mind the reward which the Lord will one day bestow upon all who in very deed were to Christ a Simon of Cyrene, by supporting Him in their suffering fellow-men. Note the beautiful words of the “Imitation”: “If thou carry the cross willingly, it will carry thee,—In the cross is salvation; in the cross is life; in the cross is protection from enemies. In the cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the cross is strength of mind; in the cross is joy of spirit; in the cross is height of virtue; in the cross is perfection of sanctity.”

In the vast crowd following Jesus, there were none who compassionated Him. Finally a pious woman pressed through the throng, and fearing neither the violence of the brutal soldiers, nor the abusive words of the furious mob, handed our Blessed Lord a cloth to wipe the sweat from His sacred Brow. Nothing could deter her from showing compassion with her suffering Saviour. When she received back the cloth the sacred Face of Jesus was wonderfully imprinted on it.

The pious Veronica is the type of all religious who, urged by a self-annihilating love of their neighbor, walk the way of the cross to serve Jesus in His suffering members, to counsel and console them and to quicken their courage. They, too, may aspire to the reward of Veronica, for Jesus will imprint His sacred Image so indelibly on their hearts that the remembrance of Him will animate them to the most heroic sacrifices. Let us also consider the pious women who could not restrain their tears at sight of the torments and the humiliation of our Divine Lord. Their compassion was still imperfect, but the love of the Sacred Heart willed, nevertheless, to reward them for their tender pity, by exhorting them to prepare for the coming vengeance of Divine Justice upon Jerusalem, and to render their tears salutary for themselves by penance and contrition.

In His solicitude for others, Jesus again forgets Himself! We, on the contrary, occupied only with self, often forget our obligations toward others, when sufferings and trials break in upon us. O Jesus, impress Thy sacred Image on my heart, that the remembrance of Thy love may induce me to be compassionate with my neighbor.

Affections: I thank Thee, O my beloved Saviour, for having called me in Thy infinite love to follow Thee more perfectly on the way of the cross, as it were, to enter into Thy footprints. Oh, that as Thy true spouse, I would carry the cross of poverty, humiliations, and renunciation and thus merit to have Thy sacred, suffering Image impressed indelibly upon my soul! O my Saviour, grant that my fidelity may sweeten the bitterness of Thy anguish, and let me share in all the graces Thou hast merited for us on Thy painful journey to Calvary.

Resolution: I will prove my gratitude for the inexpressible sufferings of Jesus, by courageous self-control, and by tender compassion with my fellow-religious and those entrusted to me.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Far be it from me to glory save in the cross of Christ.”

Prayer: O Jesus, living in Mary . . .

Meditation for Tuesday 03/24/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

MEDITATION FOR TUESDAY

JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS

“They took Jesus and led Him forth. And he bore His cross” (John 19, 16–17).

First Prelude: Behold Jesus, laden with the heavy cross, advancing wearily and sinking several times under the burden.

Second Prelude: Grant me grace, O my beloved Saviour, to walk perseveringly in the way of sufferings and humiliations.

First Point

JESUS TAKES THE CROSS UPON HIS SHOULDERS

Having clothed Jesus again in His purple robe, which they had cruelly torn from His bruised Body, the soldiers fetched the cross whereon He willed to die, and cast it at His feet. With infinite love and profound humility, He embraced the heavy load, and laid it on His sacred shoulders which were so torn and lacerated by the inhuman scourging that they seemed one great wound. The sacred Blood streamed from every pore and marked the way that He walked. Much heavier than the weight of the cross was the enormity of the sins of the whole world, which Jesus had taken upon Himself and which rendered the journey to Calvary exceedingly painful. St. Bonaventure said that our Saviour carried a two-fold cross, an interior and an exterior one. The exterior cross was that of sufferings and penance; the interior, that of mercy and compassion with sinners.

Let us consider that our sins were the real burden which so oppressed our Divine Saviour. We will, therefore, excite deep compunction and contrition for them and thank our Lord with all our heart for having taken upon Himself the heavy cross for love of us, to save us from eternal perdition. We will excite a lively desire to participate in His sufferings. This is what our Saviour expects of us. We should take the cross upon our shoulders and follow Him. Henceforth, like true children of God, we will carry it after the Saviour in resignation, in implicit trust and love, following in His footsteps, ever keeping our eternal destination in view. Love makes all things sweet and easy. With what sentiments do I carry my daily cross?

Second Point

JESUS FALLS BENEATH THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

Jesus, unable to carry the heavy burden placed upon His shoulders, repeatedly sank to the ground beneath its weight. Exhausted unto death, He lay on the ground for our sake, stretched in the dust of the earth like a worm. Jesus willed by the merits of this fall to liberate us from human instability and to insure us the grace of perseverance. We succumb so easily to the reverses of daily life, become discouraged and hesitate when there is question of carrying a cross. We complain of the least misfortune and believe ourselves burdened with more than we are able to carry. Oh, how does the example of our cross-laden Saviour put us to shame, Who though crushed to earth, always rises again and proceeds courageously! What a consolation in the thought that the Lord Himself has borne our weakness! His weakness is our strength, because in His merciful Heart we find grace to bear the burdens we shoulder for His sake. By His repeated painful prostrations, Jesus merited for us the grace to avoid sin.

Let us kneel beside our suffering, bleeding Saviour, repent of our frequent relapses, and promise betterment. Let us animate and quicken our confidence in His Divine Omnipotence which will vigorously support our least endeavors for virtue. Let us heed His counsel: “Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation” (Mark 14, 38). What precautions should I take to guard against a fall?

Affections: O most affable Jesus, to what excess has Thy immeasurable love impelled Thee! I behold Thee, laden with the heavy cross, exhausted unto death, pale, ascending Mount Calvary. O holy cross, on which my Saviour, with so much love and inexpressible exhaustion, carried the heavy burden of my sins, I salute Thee and with tenderest gratitude reverently embrace Thee. For Thee, O Saviour of the world, Son of the Most High, the cross was an abasement; I, however, a miserable sinner, have deserved it. It will be honorable for me to carry the cross of affliction and renunciation and thus to follow perseveringly in Thy footsteps. Grant me the grace, O Jesus, to embrace my cross generously, mindful of the words: “And he that taketh not up his cross and followeth Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10, 38).

Resolution: If I find it difficult to make a sacrifice demanded of me, I will take courage in the thought that Jesus has gone before and merited grace for me to follow in His footsteps.

Spiritual Bouquet: “If any man will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

Meditation for Monday 03/23/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

FOR PASSION WEEK

MEDITATION FOR MONDAY

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

“And Pilate, seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, taking water washed his hands before the people saying: ‘I am innocent of the blood of this Just Man; look you to it.’ And the whole people answering said: ‘His Blood be upon us and upon our children’” (Matt. 27, 24-25).

First Prelude: Picture Pilate seated on an elevated platform, surrounded by the surging masses. Behold our beloved Saviour Who delivers Himself up to him who unjustly condemns Him.

Second Prelude: O my Jesus, Who wert condemned to death to merit life for me, grant me the victory over all my passions.

First Point

THE CRY OF THE POPULACE: “HIS BLOOD BE UPON US”

Holy Scripture relates that Pilate, seeing the tumult steadily increasing, washed his hands before the whole people saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just Man; look you to it.” What grief must well-nigh have crushed the Heart of Jesus on hearing the terrible answer, full of malice and hatred, coming from the hearts of His ungrateful people. “His blood be upon us and upon our children!” A heathen judge fears to incur the anger of his gods by the condemnation of Jesus, and the adorers of the true God deliver themselves and their offspring to effect the unjust death warrant.

Let us repeat these words, but with wholly different sentiments. The Precious Blood of our Saviour is the foundation and cause of our hope for eternal salvation. We know that we are not purchased with perishable gold and silver, but with the Precious Blood of the Lamb. Therefore, the children of God, in faith, confidence, and love, cry to this Blood: “Thy Precious Blood, O Jesus, flow upon us and redound to our eternal salvation.” As often as we approach the tribunal of penance, assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the merits of the Precious Blood are applied to our souls. Oh, that it may not be lost in us! May we often consider at what price our souls have been purchased, that in a spirit of gratitude we may be moved to make any sacrifice for our sanctification. I pray so frequently: “Blood of Christ fill all my veins,” and the Saviour answers my prayer when He enters my heart in Holy Communion. Do I strive to be worthy of such inexpressible love?

Second Point

PILATE PRONOUNCES THE DEATH WARRANT

Out of infinite love of us, Jesus suffers the unjust sentence to be passed upon Himself. He wills to die that we may rise from the death of sin to a life of grace, and through it attain eternal glory. Let us recognize here the unutterable love of the merciful Saviour, and seek to penetrate the sentiments that filled His Heart at the moment when He heard the unjust sentence. The chosen people of God, whom He had prepared for His advent for well-nigh four thousand years through the patriarchs and prophets, solemnly renounced their Messiah. This so highly favored nation demanded for Him the most degrading and shameful manner of death. No act of legal justice condemned Him to death; He was the victim of those who hated Him and who savagely and imperiously demanded His death.

Even now similar pain is inflicted upon Jesus by every grievous sin. What an insult, what ingratitude! Let us seek to make atonement by earnestly striving to die to sin, to live for Him alone and to foster His life in us. All the duties of our holy vocation, our Holy Rule, our vows, provided we keep them faithfully, inebriate us more and more with the spirit of Christ. How often is there opportunity by our prayers and acts of charity to aid souls, dead to grace, to regain a new life in Christ! Let us often ask ourselves whether or not we are ready for the love of Jesus gladly to suffer for others, patiently to bear their faults and imperfections and to alleviate their sufferings; whether or not we are willing, like Jesus, to immolate our life for the salvation of souls. On what occasions can I practice charity toward others, especially those in my care?

Affections: Thy Sacred Blood, O Jesus, come upon me and cleanse me of my sins and evil inclinations. May it inflame me with that holy love wherewith Thou hast loved me, and renew in me Thy divine image. O my beloved Saviour, by Thy perfect immolation, whereby Thou didst abandon Thyself to the caprice of Thy enemies and didst suffer Thyself to be unjustly condemned to the most ignominious death, grant me the grace to surrender myself forever, without reserve, to Thee, my God, to Thy wisdom, Thy power and Thy faithful love. Thy love alone shall henceforth live in me and control me, so that I can say in truth, with the Apostle of the Gentiles: “I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2, 20).

Resolution: I will strive energetically to control my evil inclinations and gladly sacrifice self in the interest of my neighbor.

Spiritual Bouquet: “He delivered Himself to him who unjustly condemned Him.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

Meditation for Sunday 03/22/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Sunday 03/22/26    

MEDITATION FOR PASSION SUNDAY

JESUS SPEAKS OF TRUE HONOR

“Which of you shall convince Me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe Me? He that is of God, heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God. The Jews therefore answered and said to Him: ‘Do not we say well that Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?’ Jesus answered: ‘I have not a devil: but I honor my Father and you have dishonored Me.’” (John 8, 46-50).

First Prelude: Behold Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem and reverently hear His sacred words addressed to the assembled Jews.

Second Prelude: O Jesus, give me the grace always to have Thy greater honor in view.

First Point

“I SEEK NOT MY HONOR”

The Jews called Jesus a Samaritan, one possessed by the devil, but Jesus of Whom St. Peter said: “Who when He was reviled, did not revile” (1, 2, 23), answered calmly: “I have not a devil, but I honor My Father, and you have dishonored Me. But I seek not My own glory; there is One that seeketh and judgeth” (John 8, 49-50). Must we not admire the humility of Jesus, which impelled Him to bear such an outrageous insult with invincible meekness? He answered solely because the honor of God was concerned! How different are often the sentiments and the words of those who call themselves His spouses! They have taken upon themselves the obligation to seek, not their own honor, but the glory of God; yet how often do their actions contradict their words. They seek the applause of men and gratification of self! If humiliations, reproofs, criticisms or failure discourage us—if we envy such as are more respected and esteemed than we—we cannot say with our heavenly Bridegroom: “I seek not my honor.” Oh, let us learn to lean upon Him Who mercifully pardons the humble, and provides with paternal solicitude for those that immolate their own honor to him.

Second Point

“WHICH OF YOU SHALL CONVINCE ME OF SIN?”

The enemies of Jesus are not in a position to reply even one word to His question, “Which of you shall convince Me of sin?” The faithful on earth, the saints in heaven, whatever lives, moves, in short, all creation, must unceasingly confess: “Thou alone art holy: Thou alone art the Lord: Thou alone the Most High!” He is the Lamb of God Who for the sins of all mankind was put to death. He can call upon all to be witness: “Which of you shall convince Me of sin?” With the Psalmist we must admit: “If Thou wilt be mindful of our miseries, O Lord, who can subsist before Thee?” (Ps. 129, 3). A heavy guilt of sin rests upon us, our evil conscience and many men testify against us. How necessary is it, therefore, that we endeavor to liquidate our guilt before departing this life. Let us now, while there is yet time, hear the admonitions of the Lord and correspond to His graces, that He may not conceal Himself from us as He did from the obdurate Jews. In all justice He deserted them because in their obstinacy and perversion they would neither accept His doctrine, nor acknowledge Him as the Messiah, in spite of the many miracles He had wrought. How far has not the chosen people, once so highly favored by heaven and singularly protected by God for a long time, finally come? Let us strive by humility and fidelity to avert our Lord’s displeasure. Was I not often the cause of God’s withdrawing His presence and leaving me in spiritual dryness, darkness and doubt?

Affections: O my Jesus, permit me not one day to hear from Thee the reproach of having sought my own honor and not Thine! Preserve me from such a misfortune, sure to come upon Thy unfaithful spouses. I will employ solely for Thy honor all the graces and gifts which Thou so generously hast bestowed on me. In all my thoughts, words, and actions, I will seek Thy divine pleasure. Live and reign in my heart, O Jesus, with all the power of Thy love. Blot out every stain of sin, every affection and love incompatible with Thy holy love. Grant that I may listen to Thy words with humility and reverence, and persevere to the end in Thy holy service, through the faithful discharge of my duties.

Resolution: In all my actions I will seek to please God alone.

Spiritual Bouquet: “I seek not My honor, but the honor of Him Who sent Me.”

Prayer: Jesus, my Lord, my King. . .

Meditation for Saturday 03/21/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

Meditation for Saturday    

Ecce Homo

“Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith to them: ‘Behold, I bring Him forth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in Him.’ Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And he saith to them: ‘Behold the Man!’” (John 19, 4-5).
First Prelude: Behold our Blessed Lord, covered with blood and wounds, wearing the purple cloak and the crown of thorns, as He mounts the steps of the tribunal, exposed to the gaze of the multitude.

Second Prelude: O my Jesus, grant that the contemplation of Thy sufferings and humiliations may excite in my heart an ever-growing desire for Thy love, and strengthen me in all sufferings and trials.

First Point — The Words of Pilate: “Behold the Man!”

We behold Jesus before Pilate in a most pitiable and shameful condition. His face is defiled with blood and bruised with blows. His lacerated Body is but a single wound. Wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak, and holding a reed in His right hand, Christ is truly the “Man of Sorrows,” in Whom were verified the words of the prophet: “We have seen Him, despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrow” (Is. 53, 3). Infinitely loving and mild, though plunged in bitter grief and crushed by unspeakable torments, our Divine Saviour bears the penalty our sins have deserved. Imagine yourself, my soul, in the midst of the frantic mob, face to face with the piteous sight of your patient Saviour, your Lord and King. To atone for sensuality, He is besprinkled with blood—to expiate our vanity, He is satiated with contempt and ridicule. Admire His gentleness and patience and ponder the infinite love which induced Him to suffer so much for us.

In Him, Whom Pilate presented to us saying: “Behold the Man!” we recognize the thrice holy God, the Joy of the angels, Whose praises they incessantly sing for all eternity. How fitting are the words of the Canticle: “Go forth, ye daughters of Sion, and see the King of Peace in the diadem, wherewith His mother crowned Him in the day of His espousals, and in the day of the joy of His heart” (Cant. 3, 11). Such then, my soul, is the Bridegroom Who would have thy love! Canst thou look into such a mirror of patience and self-effacement without being filled with confusion, and desiring earnestly to resemble Him?

Second Point — We Should Present Our Blessed Saviour to the Heavenly Father

To preserve us from everlasting death, our Blessed Saviour suffered such excessive torments and immolated Himself as Vicarious Sacrifice. Accordingly, we should frequently present our suffering, thorn-crowned Saviour to the heavenly Father, saying: Look upon the face of Thy Anointed, O God, and have mercy on us! Behold our Saviour become surety for us! Behold a God, made Man for us, behold Thy only begotten Son, in Whom Thou wert well pleased from all eternity! He has borne our infirmities and weakness, and suffered Himself to be plunged into an abyss of humiliations! Thou knowest, O heavenly Father, what reduced Him to the pitiable state in which we now present Him to Thee! It was love that brought Him to such excess.

Let us often, especially at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, immolate to the heavenly Father His Divine Son in expiation of our sins, and let us take courage in the thought that Christ’s Precious Blood cries to heaven for us, imploring mercy. In union with this Sacrifice of infinite worth we will offer the little sufferings that we meet in the service of God and of His poor, and bear in mind that it is our duty to imitate and, inasmuch as we can, to resemble Him. Oh, that our dear Lord might be able to present our souls, “washed in the Blood of the Lamb,” to the heavenly Father, saying: Behold, My spouse, who in imitation of My example, lives a crucified life, who loves Me and spends herself for Me in the service of My suffering members. Has Jesus not a perfect right to expect such fidelity of us, whom He has flooded with graces? Let us be grateful to so good, so generous a Master, that we may trustingly and confidingly go forth to meet our beloved Bridegroom, when He shall come in His glory.

Affections: O humiliated and patient Lord, how unfathomable are the mysteries of Thy love! How can I sufficiently praise and extol Thee! What are my sentiments on beholding my Saviour suffering such torments? Can I behold this marvel of love and not be inflamed with an ardent desire to make some return? Must not my heart be filled with sorrow for my sins, which have thus horribly disfigured the comeliest, the holiest and most affable of the sons of men? Let me realize Thy infinite greatness, O my Jesus, that in this mirror of truth and holiness, I may know myself, and through this knowledge and the co-operation with grace, let me die to self to live wholly for Thy love.

Resolution: I will frequently picture my thorn-crowned, derided Saviour to see whether I bear any resemblance to Him.

Spiritual Bouquet: Behold your Saviour! “Behold the Man!”

Prayer: Jesus, my Lord, my King . . .

Meditation for Friday 03/20/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

MEDITATION FOR FRIDAY

JESUS CHRIST DERIDED IN HIS ROYAL DIGNITY

“And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand. And bowing the knee before Him, they mocked Him, saying: ‘Hail, King of the Jews.’ And spitting upon Him, they took the reed and struck His Head” (Matt. 27, 29–30).

First Prelude. Behold Christ with the purple robe, the crown of thorns and the mock-scepter, with which the brutal soldiery derided His royal dignity.

Second Prelude. O Jesus, fill my heart with true compunction and shame at the thought of the ignominy and pain Thou didst suffer for my sins.

First Point. The Marks of Christ’s Royal Dignity

“I am a King, but my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18, 36), Jesus had answered Pilate. Here is revealed the mystery of this Kingship, wholly different from that of earthly rulers. They are the recipients of a golden crown; the King of heaven and earth is crowned with thorns. Earthly monarchs are arrayed in gorgeous robes; an old, purple cloak is put in derision upon the shoulders of our heavenly King. Earthly kings bear a golden scepter, before which the people bow reverently, paying homage; Jesus, the King of kings, the Prince of rulers, is given a reed in His right hand in mockery. See the soldiers bending the knee before Him in malicious homage, saying: “Hail, King of the Jews!” Hear the blasphemies uttered against the Son of God! Behold how Jesus suffers shame and contempt, receives a disgraceful blow and is spat upon! Ponder the unheard-of torments He suffers with inimitable meekness and patience. At such a price He purchased His royal dignity! Prostrate before Jesus with the myriad angels, we will profoundly adore Him as King of heaven and earth, in Whose name every knee shall bend. As often as we appear before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, we will render Him profound homage and make reparation for the blasphemies and the insults still heaped upon Him today.

Second Point. The Fruits of Christ’s Sufferings for Himself and His Elect

In recognition of all the contempt and the disgrace which Jesus Christ endured to redress the insults offered the Divine Majesty, the heavenly Father prepared for Him an empire of majesty, of dignity, and of power. He gave Him dominion over all creatures, and the right, as Supreme Judge, to pronounce sentence upon them. The Son of the Eternal Word shall one day come as King of Glory, accompanied by His angels and saints. All those who have made Him the King of their hearts, observed His commandments, and proved loyal in the combat against His enemies, shall then participate in His glory. Countless martyrs of all ranks and nations, who with Him drank the chalice of suffering and found comfort, encouragement and perseverance through Him, now have Him for their King for all eternity. Under His banner, likewise, fight all those whom He has chosen from all eternity to share His glory. Supported by the strength Jesus merited for us by His passion and encouraged by the greatness of our hope, we, too, shall find in the practice of mortification, of penance, of renunciation, in the exercise of humility, meekness and patience, and in the faithful discharge of the duties of our holy vocation, the grace to finish our course victoriously. What a pity it were, if in the wake of our thorn-crowned Bridegroom, we should refuse to suffer, and should complain on finding a few thorns in our path! Does my conscience testify that I have made Jesus King of my heart, and that I am perfectly submissive to Him?

Affections. Benediction, praise and adoration to Thee for all eternity, O King of everlasting Glory, Who in this life didst seek naught but sufferings, ignominy, and contempt! Ye holy angels, witnesses of the terrible torments and the grievous insults inflicted on your and our King, help us by your profound adoration, by your acts of praise and homage, to make satisfaction and reparation, and adequately to thank Him for such infinite love. O Heart of my King, satiated with an excess of abasement and contempt, imbue my heart with Thy sentiments. Give me grace to despise all vanity and pride, to tread self-love under foot, that resembling Thee, my kingly Leader, here in this life, I may be found worthy to love and praise Thee for all eternity in Thy heavenly kingdom.

Resolution. I will frequently thank Jesus for the derision He bore for my sake, and for love of Him, be zealous in the practice of humility and self-denial.

Spiritual Bouquet. “Praise, honor and adoration, be to Thee, our God and King for all eternity!”

Prayer. Jesus, my Lord, my King…

Meditation for Thursday 03/19/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

MEDITATION FOR THURSDAY

THE CROWNING WITH THORNS

“And stripping Him, they put a scarlet cloak about Him. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon His Head and a reed in His right hand. And bowing the knee before Him, they mocked Him, saying: ‘Hail, King of Jews’” (Matt. 27, 28-29).

First Prelude: Again, in spirit, enter the inner court of the House of Pilate; the rude soldiers in derision clothe Jesus with a purple cloak and crown Him with thorns.

Second Prelude: By Thy inexpressible love, O Jesus, grant me the grace to conquer pride, sensitiveness and self-love.

First Point — The Sufferings of Jesus in the Crowning with Thorns

This sacred mystery of the love of our Blessed Redeemer proves to us more emphatically even than the scourging His insatiable desire to suffer for us. It is well-nigh impossible to believe that human malice could go to such extremes and devise such a cruel torture. Oh, the pain that Jesus suffered when the crown of thorns pierced His sacred head, while blood filled His eyes and crimsoned His holy countenance. Must we not be moved to the most tender sympathy with the meek Lamb of God, at sight of these disreputable executioners, who forced the crown of thorns with violent blows upon His sacred head, the sharp thorns piercing the flesh and causing Him indescribable pain?

No less excruciating than His bodily pains were the interior sufferings of our Divine Saviour in this mystery. Such inhuman cruelty was meted out to Jesus, such indignity heaped upon Him, solely to deride Him and ridicule His sacred doctrine. Thus His Heart, too, was satiated with opprobrium. Oh, excess of the love of my Saviour, who can ever fathom Thee! Let us admire this inexhaustible, untiring love. Were it possible for us ever to refuse our thorn-crowned King even the smallest portion of our heart, without incurring the just rebuke of the blackest ingratitude? Let us, then, love our most magnanimous Lord with our whole heart, our whole soul, and with all our mind.

Second Point — Why Jesus Willed to Be Crowned with Thorns

Our Divine Saviour willed to suffer the crowning with thorns in order to merit for us the crown of eternal glory. He willed also to teach us by His example that we ought not to be sensual, effeminate members under a thorn-crowned head. If, in the crowning with thorns, Christ suffered for our sins, must we not, likewise, do penance for our sins by the practice of self-denial? Jesus willed, in particular, by the most painful crowning with thorns to make superabundant satisfaction for the countless sins of thought. He expiated the pride of our first parents and their descendants; He atoned for the desire to rule, which sways the hearts of most men; He expiated the craving for praise and honor; He atoned for self-will, sensitiveness, vanity, egotism, all sinful, impure thoughts and desires.

O my soul, if ever again you feel tempted to sins of such nature, think of your thorn-crowned Saviour and of the painful expiation that He took upon Himself for love of you, and be not so ungrateful as to press a fresh thorn into His sacred head. In hours of discouragement and trial, look upon the Saviour’s crown of thorns and willingly unite your slight sufferings with the excessive pain inflicted on our Saviour by His crown of thorns.

Affections: Thou, my beloved Saviour, deservest not to wear the crown that wounded Thy sacred head so deeply; no, it is meet that I who have so often offended Thee should wear it. Thou didst will then, O Jesus, to atone for my sins, to redeem me from eternal pain. Thou wouldst teach me by Thy example what honor to seek in this world. Thy thorny crown, O Eternal King, is a crown of humility and compassion. It impresses upon me forcibly the duty of mortification and self-denial. Grant, O merciful Saviour, by Thy infinite love, which urged Thee to suffer so much for me, that henceforth I think of nothing, desire nothing, and seek nothing but to love Thee with my whole heart, and daily to grow in this love.

Resolution: For the love of my Saviour crowned with thorns, I will carefully watch over my thoughts and at once suppress every movement of pride and sensitiveness.

Spiritual Bouquet: “And platting a crown of thorns, they put it on His Head.”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .