Fourth Mystery
AGAIN, from the sacred head of Jesus, blood poured down when it was crowned with thorns, in punishment of our pride and evil thoughts. Shall we, then, continue to nourish haughtiness, foster foul imaginations, and feed the wayward will within us? Henceforth let there be ever before our eyes our utter nothingness, our misery, and our weakness; and with generous hearts let us resist all the temptations of the devil. Our Father (five times), and Glory be to the Father, etc. (once).
V. We beseech Thee therefore, help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Fifth Mystery
WHAT streams of Precious Blood did not our loving Lord pour forth from His veins when laden with the heavy cross on that most grievous journey to Calvary! The very streets and ways of Jerusalem through which He passed were watered with it. This He did in satisfaction for the scandals and bad example by which His own creatures had led others astray. Who can tell how many of us are of this unhappy number? Who knows how many each one, by his own bad example, has brought down to hell? And what have we done to repair this evil? Henceforth let us, at least by word and example, do all we can to save souls, making ourselves a pattern
