May 4 liturgical memory of the Holy Shroud. PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

before the Shroud, as in a mirror,
we contemplate the mystery of your passion and death for us.

It is the greatest love
with whom you loved us, to the point of giving your life for the last sinner.

It is the greatest Love,
which also drives us to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

In the wounds of your battered body
meditate on the wounds caused by every sin:
forgive us, Lord.

In the silence of your humiliated face
we recognize the suffering face of every man:
help us, Lord.

In the peace of your body lying in the sepulcher
let us meditate on the mystery of death awaiting the resurrection:

hear us, Lord.

You who embraced all of us on the cross,
and you entrusted us as children to the Virgin Mary,
make no one feel far from your love,
and in every face we can recognize your face,
that invites us to love each other as you love us.