Prayer before a Crucifix.
Plenary Indulgence to be obtained by all the faithful, who, after having confessed their sins with contrition, received the Holy Communion, and prayed for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff, shall devoutly recite it before an image or representation of Christ crucified.
Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul I pray and beseech thee that thou wouldst impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm desire of amendment, whilst with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself, and mentally contemplate thy five most precious wounds; having before my eyes that which David spake in prophecy: "They pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones."
FIFTEEN MEDITATIONS
ON THE PASSION OF OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST
1 . O good and gracious Jesus! who, being most high in the glory of thy Father, and of one essence with him, didst vouchsafe of thy infinite love to be made man, to be born in a stable, to be laid in a manger, to be circumcised, and to fly into Egypt; afterwards to be baptised, to be tempted, to fast, to watch, to teach the ignorant, and to heal the diseased; in thy whole life to suffer continual afflictions and persecutions; and at length voluntarily to suffer death upon the cross; and all this for me, and such wretched creatures as myself.
2. O good and gracious Jesus! who, having eaten the paschal lamb with, thy dearly beloved disciples, didst arise from supper, gird thyself with a towel, pour water
