The Seventh Day
Here we begin the Third Week of St. Ignatius’ Exercises; it is devoted to the consideration of Christ’s sacred passion. These meditations, or contemplations, are a tribute of love that we offer to our dear Lord; and they are suggestive to ourselves of generous sentiments, and earnest resolutions to practise even heroic virtue, in following our beloved King to the height of His self-sacrifice. By the light and grace they impart, they aid us to advance rapidly in the way of perfection.
We read in the Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude (p. 348) that she beheld one day our Blessed Lord as He was after He had been whipped at the pillar, covered with wounds, and she asked Him, tenderly: “Alas, Lord, what remedy can we find to sooth Thy agonizing pains?” Our Lord replied: “The most efficacious and tenderest remedy you can prepare for Me is to meditate on My passion, and to pray charitably for the conversion of sinners.” It is in this spirit that all the exercises of this day should be performed.