WHEN CONTEMPLATING THE HOLY FACE

O Lord! wherefore hast Thou given us an imprint of Thy Holy Face, in the sad and pitiful state of Thy Passion? Why didst not Thou rather portray it with those sweet traits which enrapture all hearts, or with the dazzling splendour with which it was clothed on the day of Thy glorious Transfiguration? It seems to me as though Thy admirable beauty would have caused us to feel more delight in Thee and more love for Thee, and that the majesty of Thy Face would have inspired us with more reverence! Would not Thy august brow have worn a more gracious aspect, if it had been adorned with a crown of light, or with a diadem, than with only a circlet bristling with thorns? But no, divine Saviour! Thy Face in its dazzling glory is reserved to be for ever the object of the joy of the blessed in Paradise, but Thy Face, disfigured by the ignominy of Thy Passion, ought to be the ordinary subject of our veneration here below, and the model for our imitation. We shall every day experience that nothing is more efficacious for enkindling Thy love in our hearts, for animating us to the practice of all kinds of virtues and for making us avoid sin. Grant us then the grace, O amiable Saviour, so to compassionate Thy sufferings upon earth, that we may hereafter merit to participate in Thy triumph in heaven. Amen.