Jesus Falls the First Time

      O Most Loving Jesus, I offer Thee the acts of adoration, of praise, of union and of supplication which Thy Holy Mother offered Thee in this Station.

      How heavily the Cross weighs upon our meek Saviour, now that He is weakened by so many sufferings. He totters under the blows and the rough treatment which are mercilessly dealt out to Him. And now He falls prostrate to the ground. The thorns of His crown enter deeper into His head. But why this first fall, which causes so much pain to the Heart of Mary? It is to atone for our sins of pride, which have made us the slaves of Satan. Make amends to the Mother of Sorrows and beg Her to obtain pardon for us.

      O Mary, by all the sufferings which Thou hast endured, cure me of my pride, which steals into my best actions, which displeases Thy Son so much and hinders the perfect union of my soul with Thee.

      By this first fall, Jesus expiates the loss of my baptismal innocence. O Mother, how this thought ought to rend my heart with bitter remorse! But I have given myself wholly to Thee, that in Thee I may find the remedy for my misfortune; I trust in Thy wisdom which knows how to cure me; I place my hope in Thy goodness, which will do it without fail,because I ask Thee for it. O Lord Jesus, give children to Thy Mother; give Her slaves of love more numerous than the stars in the heavens and as a pure and as innocent as the angels! Multiply them in Her virginal Heart!

      Holy Mother, pierce me through,In my heart each wound renew, Of my Saviour Crucified!