4.4 Prayer

STAGE 4: Towards the Likeness of Jesus Christ

JESUS AND THE CROSS

THE CAPTIVATING POWER

PRAYER

Rosary

With Mary and Montfort, let us we meditate on “the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ sufferings”.

Jesus suffered in his possessions: “During his passion he was stripped of his garments by soldiers who shared them among themselves, and then fastened him naked to a cross” (LEW 158).

Jesus suffered in his honour, reputation, wisdom and power: “He was overwhelmed with insults and called a blasphemer, a revolutionary, a drunkard, a glutton and a possessed person, an ignorant man and an impostor” (LEW 159).

Jesus suffered in his disciples: “One of them bartered him for money and betrayed him; another, their leader, denied him; and the rest abandoned him” (LEW 159).

Jesus suffered from his own Mother: “Even his Blessed Mother’s presence added painfully to his sufferings for, as he was dying, he saw her standing at the foot of the cross engulfed in a sea of sorrow” (LEW 160).

Jesus suffered from fear of God’s abandonment: “To all these torments we must add the most cruel and the most fearful one, namely his abandonment upon the cross which caused him to cry out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (LEW 162).

Concluding Prayer

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus (Just click or tap) or

“Anima Christi”, a mediaeval prayer to Jesus.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me,

Body of Christ, save me,

Blood of Christ, inebriate me,

Water from Christ’s side, wash me,

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me,

Within Thy wounds hide me,

Separated from Thee let me never be,

From the malicious enemy defend me,

In the hour of my death call me,

And bid me come unto Thee,

That I may praise Thee with Thy saints,

Forever and ever.

Amen!

[4-4] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER