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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.”
See also
References
- http://holyjoe.org/indulgences/Indulgences_1999.pdf
- "The Prayer before the Crucifix", Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition
- "Prayer before a Crucifix". Catholic Online. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
- Prayer before a Crucifix: Our Catholic Prayers
