Prayer Before the Crucifix

Look down upon me, Dear Jesus,
while before your face I humbly kneel;

And with a burning heart,
I pray and beseech Thee
to fix deep into 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 wounds,
pondering over them within me;

and calling to mind the words that
David, your prophet, said of you, my dear Jesus:
"They have pierced my hands and my feet,
They have numbered all my bones."

Amen.