crucifix beside brown wall

Prayer Before a Crucifix

Behold, O Kind and most sweet Jesus,
before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with the most fervent desire of soul,
I pray and beseech Thee to impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity,
true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment.

With deep affection and grief of soul,
I ponder within myself,
mentally contemplating Thy five wounds,
having before my eyes the words which David the Prophet spoke concerning Thee:

“They have pierced my hands and my feet, they have numbered all my bones” (Ps. 22:17-18).

Amen.