Prayer before a Crucifix

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 wounds, pondering over them within me, I call 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.”