Concluding Prayers

(The Rest of the) Stabat Mater

At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to her Son to the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed. O how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blest, of the sole-begotten One. Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold? Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother’s pain untold? For the sins of His own nation, she saw Jesus wracked with torment, all with scourges rent: She beheld her tender Child, Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent. O You Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above, make my heart with thine accord: Make me feel as You hast felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ my Lord. Holy Mother! pierce me through, in my heart each wound renews of my Savior crucified: Let me share with You His pain, who for all my sins was slain, who for me in torments died. Let me mingle tears with You, mourning Him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live: By the Cross with You to stay, there with You to weep and pray, is all I ask of You to give. Virgin of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: let me share Your grief divine; Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of thine. Wounded with His every wound, steep my soul till it hath swooned, in His very blood away; Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in His awful Judgment Day. Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, by Your Mother my defense, by Your Cross my victory; While my body here decays, may my soul Your goodness praise, Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Prayer Before a Crucifix 

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Your face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment.

While I contemplate, with great love and tender pity, your five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David, your prophet, said to You, my Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones."

Optional Prayer of Humble Reflection

Lord, I have reflected on your bitter, lonely, and gruesome passion. I am brought to my knees with the regret of the sins I have committed, I once thought to be my right and I now realize my guilt. By your passion, teach me the meaning of forgiveness and contrition. By this teaching, may every temptation and hurt become a fountain of grace for the world and myself through participation in your passion. It is not by my self-invented strength that I shall make a similar offering of myself but the grace you offer which heals and transforms, the love I have for you, and the love for others that results from my love for you. I take you as my example and willingly accept the redemption you offer me through humble obedience to the Gospel at every moment. May your Mother's sorrow inform my constant repentance and may Her intercession grant me moral purity through love of You. Amen