The sacrifice is done.

Yes, my Mass is complete; but not
my mother's and not yours, my other self.

My mother still must cradle in her arms
the lifeless body of the son she bore.

You, too, must still part from those
you love, and grief will come to you.

In your bereavements think of this:
A multitude of souls were saved
by Mary's sharing in my Calvary,
You grief can also be the price of souls.

O Lord, in your wisdom, grant us the grace and strength to accept that partings and losses that must be part of our lives. Let us learn to grieve as well as to rejoice that those you call home will be with you for ever.

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen

After a time, a soldier arrived to check on the crucified ones. He realised that the two thieves were still alive but Jesus appeared dead. He'd been sent to break the legs of the living and pierce the side of Jesus.

Cruelty upon cruelty, orders had been issued to get rid of the dead bodies before sundown. The Jews didn't want the bodies on the crosses during the Sabbath and had asked Pilate to have the legs broken and taken down.

The crowd started to disperse, hurrying to return to their homes before the beggining of Sabbath or they'd be exclude from the celebration. They left Mary under the cross with those accompanying her.

Two men were seen approaching Calvary, going straight to the soldiers to present their orders from Pilate. The soldiers were to bring down Jesus's body and turn it over to these two men.

These men were, Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus because of his fear of the Jews and Nicodemus who'd earlier visited Jesus at night. They had come prepared to prepare Jesus's body in accordance with Jewish burial customs. Jesus body was laid on the ground.

Mary could once more see her son, to hug him for the last time. She cried aloud and prayed. She looked at the bloodstained body and murmured, "Why did they do this to you? Why have they taken you away from me?" She struggled, wanting to hear him scream as an infant. Wanting to understand fully the Mystery she'd carried in her womb that now lay lifeless in her arms. Tears coursed down her cheeks.