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.