166. Prayer to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and

O Jesus, sacrificed for us upon the altar of the Cross, draw us to Thee, and with us draw the Jews and Turks, for whom also Thou hast shed thy Blood to the last drop. May this Blood, once invoked by some in male- diction, descend in benediction upon their heads and save them. May this Blood, despised and pro- faned by other nations, give forth for these a cry for mercy and purify them. Succour, O Lorp, we implore Thee, the poor sons of Isaac and Ishmael, for whom Thou wouldst again undergo thy dolorous Passion and death.

We appeal on their behalf to those most holy wounds in thy Hands and Feet and Side, which Thou dost keep ever fresh and open, as the price of the world’s redemption. To their powerful pleadings are united those which issue from the heart of thy most sweet Mother. That 166 Leo XIII, Br. December 18, 1899 THE SACRED HEART 145 heart, transfixed with a sword of grief, plunged in a sea of suffering, tormented with thine at the foot of the Cross, we offer to Thee, O JEsus, for the salvation of all those unhappy souls.

O sweet heart of Mary, do Thou speak to JEsus as we ourselves know not how to speak, and He will hear thee, so that even if a miracle be neces- sary to overcome the resistance of those for whom we pray, we ask it of thee, O Virgin Immaculate, by that immense love which Thou bearest to JEsus. Only deign to appear to the Jews and Turks as Thou didst once appear to Ratisbonne, and, at a signal from thy right hand, like him they will be suddenly converted. Oh! may the day soon come when the Holy Trinity shall reign through thee in all hearts, and all shall know, love and adore in spirit and in truth the blessed fruit of thy womb, JEsus, who, with the FATHER and the Horv Spirit, liveth and reigneth world wxhout end. Amen