To what extent have I taken this word seriously? Have I really believed that JESUS had me in His mind as well as St John when He said: "Behold thy Mother!" that it was of me that He thought and to me that He spoke? Have I felt the responsibility as well as the honour of being a child of Mary, and that it is my bounden duty to love and cherish her, to support and take care of her--that is, to stand up for her and shield her from those who _will_ not behold her as their Mother? O my Mother, I want more than ever to take thee to _my own_, as thy first adopted son did. Come home with me, live side by side with me, talk to me of JESUS, and thus help to pass the time when you see me getting weary; help me to imitate Him as thou didst, and to share His work by my prayer and sacrifice as thou didst. And then, Mother, thou wilt always be there to show me what sacrifice really means--how it enters into all the little details of everyday life--to show me what having my will united to thy Son's means. Thou wilt be there to put a restraining hand upon me and make me live as a child of Mary should; thou, to whom JESUS was subject, wilt teach me what real submission means. Yes, I am decided that to-day it shall be recorded of me in Heaven: "From that hour that disciple took her to his own." _Colloquy_ with Mary. _Resolution._ To take Mary as the special gift of JESUS to me. _Spiritual Bouquet._ "There stood by the Cross of JESUS His Mother." The Sixth and Seventh Dolours "_And Joseph, buying fine linen and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the fine linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock._" (St Mark xv. 46.) _1st Prelude._ A picture of the Thirteenth Station. _2nd Prelude._ Grace to be unselfish in my grief. _Point I._--MATER DOLOROSA