Prayer before a crucifix

The prayer before a crucifix is a Roman Catholic prayer to Jesus. It is often said by Roman Catholics after Communion or after Mass. The faithful receive a partial indulgence if they recite the prayer after Communion before a crucifix. On the Fridays of Lent, the indulgence is a plenary indulgence.

History
The original prayer dates to about 1205 and is commonly ascribed to Francis of Assisi while at San Damiano. The prayer echoes Psalm 22:17-18; it may also have been influenced by the opening prayer of the Eucharistic liturgy.

Words of the prayer

 * Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus,
 * while before Thy face I humbly kneel and,
 * with burning soul,
 * pray and beseech Thee
 * 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 contemplate,
 * with great love and tender pity,
 * Thy five most precious wounds,
 * pondering over them within me
 * and calling to mind the words which David,
 * Thy prophet, said of Thee, my Jesus:
 * "They have pierced My hands and My feet,
 * they have numbered all My bones."


 * Amen.

Alternative version

 * 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 my eyes that which David,
 * the prophet, long ago spoke concerning Thee,
 * “They have pierced My hands and My feet,
 * they have numbered all My bones.”