Prayer before a Crucifix

Look down upon me, good and gentle 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 contemplate,
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.”

Amen.

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Further insights into Prayer before a Crucifix

The Prayer before a Crucifix is a Catholic prayer that seeks to offer reverence and devotion to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is a powerful reminder of the love that God has for all people and the hope that comes from salvation.

The origins of the Prayer before a Crucifix can be traced back to the early days of the Catholic Church. The practice of offering prayers before a crucifix or other devotional image was common in the early Christian era.

Over time, specific prayers were developed to accompany the act of praying before a crucifix. The Prayer before a Crucifix is one of the most popular of these prayers and is believed to have been in use since the Middle Ages.

The prayer emphasizes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as a central aspect of Catholic faith and devotion. It asks for mercy and forgiveness, recognizing the need for repentance and spiritual growth.

Today, the Prayer before a Crucifix remains an important part of Catholic tradition and is offered by countless Catholics around the world. It is a powerful reminder of the centrality of Christ’s sacrifice in Catholic spirituality and a call to live a life that is grounded in faith and devotion.