Prayer before a Crucifix

A series of articles on
Roman Catholic Prayers to Jesus
Overview of Prayers
Anima Christi Morning offering Sacred Heart prayer Sacred Heart Consecration Shoulder Wound Vianney's prayer You are Christ Perboyre's prayer Montfort's prayer Crucifix prayer
Devotions to Christ
Holy Face Sacred Heart Eucharistic adoration Acts of Reparation Divine Mercy Holy Name Holy Wounds Rosary of Holy Wounds Stations of the Cross Precious Blood Infant of Prague

The Prayer before the Crucifix is a Roman Catholic prayer to Jesus which is said while kneeling before a crucifix. 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.^[1]

Words of the prayer

The Crucifix, cross with the corpus (Body of Christ) is an ancient symbol used within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox churches, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.

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.^[2]

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 mine 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.”

^[3]

See also

• Catholic beliefs on the power of prayer
• Devotions to Jesus Christ

References

Roman Catholic prayer Note: Prayers in italics are normally indulgenced. Prayers of the Mass Agnus Dei Apostles' Creed Confiteor Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria Patri Kyrie Eleison Litany of the Saints Niceno-Constantinopolitan (Nicene) Creed Pater Noster Sanctus Signum Crucis Marian prayers Alma Redemptoris Mater Angelus Ave Maria Ave Maris Stella Ave Regina Caelorum Fatima Prayer Magnificat Memorare Regina Coeli Rosary Salve Regina Sub Tuum Praesidium Three Hail Marys Litany Loreto Other prayers Act of Contrition Adoro te devote Angele Dei Anima Christi Athanasian Creed Ave Verum Corpus Benedictus Come, Holy Spirit Jesus Prayer Mental prayer Laudes Divinae Morning offering Nunc Dimittis O Salutaris Hostia Penitential Psalms Miserere mei De Profundis Prayer before a Crucifix Prayer of Saint Francis Prayer to Saint Michael Requiem Aeternam Spiritual Communion Tantum Ergo Te Deum Thanksgiving after Communion Veni Creator Spiritus Veni Sancte Spiritus Visit to the Blessed Sacrament Way of the Cross Category Portal