Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world
Leader: Jesus turned to them and said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, “Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed. At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” Luke 23:28-31
All: Lord, to the weeping women you spoke of repentance and the Day of Judgment, when all of us will stand before your face: before you, the Judge of the world. You call us to leave behind the trivialization of evil, which salves our consciences and allows us to carry on as before. You show us the seriousness of our responsibility, the danger of our being found guilty and without excuse on the Day of Judgement. Grant that we may not simply walk at your side, with nothing to offer but compassionate words. Convert us and give us new life. Grant that in the end we will not be dry wood, but living branches in you, the true vine, bearing fruit for eternal life. (cf. Jn 15:1-10)
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
O sweet Mother! Found of love
Touch my spirit from above.
Make my heart with yours accord.