Devotion to the Mysteries of the Holy Childhood
V. Incline unto my aid, O God. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. to the Father, etc. . I Jesu, sweetest Child, who didst come down from the bosom of the Father for our Salvation, who wast conceived by the Holy Ghost, who didst not abhor the Virgin's womb, and, the Word made flesh, didst take upon Thee the form of a servant; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus, have mercy on us. . II Jesu, sweetest Child, who, through thy Virgin Mother, didst visit Saint Elisabeth, and fill thy forerunner the holy Baptist with the Holy Ghost, sanctifying him whilst yet in his mother's womb; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . III Jesu, sweetest Child, who, shut up for nine months in thy Mother's womb, wast looked for with eager expectation by Mary and by Joseph, and wast offered to God the Father for the salvation of the world; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . IV Jesu, sweetest Child, born in Bethlehem of Mary ever Virgin, swathed in rags, laid in the manger, announced by angels, visited by shepherds; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . O Jesu, born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father Infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. V. Christ is at hand. R. Come let us worship. . V Jesu, sweetest Child, wounded in thy circumcision the eighth day, called by the glorious Name of Jesus, and at once by thy Name and thy Blood foreshown as the Saviour of the world; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . VI Jesu, sweetest Child, made known to the three Magi by a star, adored in the arms of thy Mother, presented with the mystic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . VII Jesu, sweetest Child, who wast presented in the Temple by thy Virgin Mother, who wast embraced by Simeon, and revealed to Israel by Anna the prophetess; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . VIII Jesu, sweetest Child, whom wicked Herod sought to slay, whom Joseph carried with Mary into Egypt, who wast taken from a cruel death and wast glorified by the blood of innocents; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . O Jesu, etc., as above. V. and R. as above. . IX Jesu, sweetest Child, who didst dwell in Egypt with most holy Mary and the Patriarch holy Joseph until the death of Herod; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . X Jesu, sweetest Child, who didst return with Mary and Joseph out of Egypt into the land of Israel, who didst suffer many toils by the way, and didst enter into the city of Nazareth; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . XI Jesu, sweetest Child, who in the holy house at Nazareth didst remain subject to Mary and Joseph, didst dwell there most holily, wast wearied by poverty and labours, and didst advance in wisdom, age, and grace; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . XII Jesu, sweetest Child, at twelve years old brought to Jerusalem, sought for by Mary and Joseph with sorrow, and found with joy after three days amongst the doctors; have mercy upon us. R. Have mercy, etc. . O Jesu, etc., as above. For Christmas Day and its Octave. V. The Word was made flesh. Alleluia. R. And dwelt among us. Alleluia. The Alleluia is omitted during the rest of the year. For the Epiphany and its Octave. V. Christ hath manifested Himself to us. Alleluia. R. Come, let us adore. Alleluia. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Lord of heaven and earth, who dost reveal thyself to little ones; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, duly honouring the holy mysteries of thy Son, the Infant Jesus, and daily imitating Him in our lives, may come to the kingdom of Heaven promised by Thee to little children. Through the same Jesus Christ, etc. R. Amen.
