Five Our Fathers, etc.
We beseech, etc.
Seventh Mystery.
Last of all, after His death, when His sacred side was opened, and His loving Heart was [pg 328] wounded, Jesus shed blood, and with the blood there came forth water, to show us how the blood was all poured out to the last drop for our salvation. Oh, the infinite goodness of Our Redeemer! Who will not love Thee, my Saviour? What heart will not consume itself away for love of Thee, Who hast done all this for our redemption? The tongue wants words to praise Thee; let us, then, invite all creatures upon earth, all angels and all saints in paradise, and most of all, our dear Mother Mary, to bless, to praise, and to celebrate Thy most precious blood. Glory to the blood of Jesus! Glory to the blood of Jesus! now and ever throughout all ages. Amen.
At this last mystery three Our Fathers and one Glory be to the Father, etc., are said to make up the number of thirty-three.
We beseech, etc.
Then the following
Prayer.
O most precious blood of eternal life, the ransom and redemption of the whole universe! the drink and bath of our souls, thou who art ever pleading the cause of men before the throne of God's sovereign mercy! I adore thee most profoundly, and desire, as far as it is in my power, to compensate thee for the insults and affronts which thou art continually receiving at the hands of men, especially of those who rashly dare to blaspheme thee. And who is there that will not bless this blood of infinite value? Who is there that will not feel himself inflamed with love for Jesus, Who shed it? What should I be if I had not been redeemed by this divine blood? What was it that drew thee forth from the veins of my Lord, even to the last drop? Ah! [pg 329] it was naught else but love. O boundless love, that has given us this balsam of salvation! O balsam beyond price, streaming forth from the well-spring of a boundless love, grant, oh, grant that every heart and tongue may praise, and magnify, and bless thee, now and forever, even unto the day of eternity. Amen.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, with Thy blood.