LEADER:  JESUS, SO PURE AND SINLESS, STANDS IN ALL HUMILITY IN THE PRAETORIUM BEFORE PILATE.  PRESENTED AS A MOCK KING, HE WEARS A CROWN OF THORNS AND A PURPLE ROBE THAT THE ROMAN SOLDIERS PLACED ON HIM.  HIS FACE AND BODY ARE COVERED WITH BLOOD FROM THE WOUNDS IN HIS SCALP AND THE DEEP LACERATIONS FROM THE SCOURGING.  HIS PAIN IS IMMENSE, YET HE REMAINS QUIET AND RESERVED, PATIENTLY AWAITING HIS OWN CONDEMNATION.  IN A FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO SPARE THE LIFE OF JESUS, PILATE SHOUTS TO HIS PERSECUTORS: “WHAT CRIME HAS HE COMMITTED.” BLIND WITH RAGE AND REFUSING TO LISTEN TO PILATE, THEY CRY OUT FOR HIS DEATH, SCREAMING: “CRUCIFY HIM!  CRUCIFY HIM!” FEARFUL OF AN UPRISING, PILATE TURNS JESUS OVER TO THEM TO DO WITH HIM AS THEY WISH.            

~ KNEEL ~

 ALL:      ALMIGHTY GOD AND FATHER, THROUGH MARY IMMACULATE, I OFFER THEE THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THY DIVINE SON JESUS, WITH ALL HIS PERFECT LOVE AND HUMILITY.  I UNITE IT WITH THE BITTER SORROW JESUS BORE AS HE STOOD BEFORE PILATE IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO THEE, QUIETLY AWAITING HIS CONDEMNATION.  I PRAY DEAR FATHER, BY THE INFINITE MERITS OF THIS LIFE GIVING SACRIFICE, TO PROVE MYSELF A TRUE CHILD OF THINE.  I WISH TO BE SIMPLE, UNASSUMING AND UNPRETENTIOUS, NEVER TO ACT SUPERIOR TO OTHERS, OR MAKE OTHERS FEEL INFERIOR.  I IMPLORE THEE TO HELP ME THINK OFTEN OF MY COMPLETE DEPENDENCE UPON THEE FOR ALL THINGS.  BY THY HEAVENLY GRACES ALMIGHTY  FATHER, MAY I ENDEAVOR ALWAYS TO PRACTICE THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY IN MY LIFE.

LORD JESUS CRUCIFIED, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A WRETCHED SINNER.

Next