Nineteenth Day
Mary enjoyed the wonderful grace of being intimately united with Our Lord in His sufferings. She was present in spirit when Jesus was in the agony in the Garden of Gethsemani. She knew of the betrayal of Judas; she felt the ingratitude of that apostle, and the pain it gave the good Master. Mary sympathized with Jesus when He was scourged and cruelly treated the night of His Passion. She could count the strokes of the scourges; she saw the soldiers crown Him with thorns and strike Him in the face. She knew that Our Lord was placed before the people that they might look on His miserable condition, and feel compassion for Him; and she heard the voice of Pilate, “Behold the man!” She heard the mob demand His death, not satisfied by the tortures inflicted upon Him. Into the depths of her soul went the cry, “Crucify Him, crucify Him! His blood be upon us, and upon our children.” St. John, the beloved disciple, came at last to the Blessed Virgin, and brought the news of the condemnation of the Lord and of His immediate crucifixion; they went out to meet Him in His painful journey to Calvary.
Prayer.
O Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.