Prayer Before A Crucifix

BEHOLD, O good and sweetest Jesus,
I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight,
and with the most fervent desire of my soul
I pray and beseech Thee
to impress upon my heart
lively sentiments of faith,
hope and charity,
with true repentance for my sins
and a most firm desire of amendment:
whilst with deep affection and grief of soul
I consider within myself
and mentally contemplate Thy five most precious Wounds,
having before mine eyes that which David, the prophet,
long ago spoke in Thine Own person concerning Thee,
my Jesus: They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones [Psalm 21, 17, 18]

Next, say the

"Our Father..."

"Hail Mary..."

"Glory Be..."

for the Catholic Church
and the intentions of the Holy Father.

(A plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, may be gained by those who shall say this prayer with devotion before an image of our crucified Redeemer. A partial indulgence may also be gained for each devout recitation.)

Prayer Before A Crucifix

Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in Your sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul I pray and beseech You that You would impress upon my heart lively sentiments of Faith, Hope and Charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm desire of amendment, while with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate Your five most precious wounds; having before my eyes that which David spoke in prophecy of You, O good Jesus: They have pierced my hands and feet; they have numbered all my bones.

Holy Cross

Crux mihi certa salus.

Crux est quam semper adoro.

Crux Domini mecum.

Crux mihi refugium.

The Cross is my sure salvation.

The Cross I ever adore.

The Cross of my Lord is with me.

The Cross is my refuge.

Prayer of Love for the Crucified Lord

O Jesus, it is not the heavenly reward you have promised which impels me to love you; neither is it the threat of hell that keep me from offending you.

It is you, O Lord, it is the sight of you affixed to the Cross and suffering insults; it is the sight of your broken body, as well as your pains and your death.

There is nothing you can give me to make me love you.

For even if there were no heaven and no hell I would still love you as I do.

Amen.

Prayer Before A Crucifix by Saint Francis of Assisi

Great and glorious God, my Lord Jesus Christ!
I implore Thee to enlighten me
and to disperse the darkness of my soul.
Give me true faith, firm hope, and perfect charity.
Grant me, O Lord, to know Thee so well
that in all things I may act by Thy light
and in accordance with Thy holy will.

Amen.

Prayer Before a Crucifix (Prayer After The Holy Communion)

Look down upon me, good and gentile Jesus,
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul, pray and beseech You to
fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of
faith, hope and charity; true contrition for
my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment.

While I comtemplate, with great love and tender
pity, Your five most precious wounds,
pondering over them within me and calling
to mind the words which David, Your
prophet, said to You, my Jesus:

They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones.