En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iesu — Prayer before the Crucifix
The prayer En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iesu — «Behold I am here, O good and sweet Jesus» — is one of the most ancient and beloved prayers of the Catholic tradition for recitation before the Crucifix. Its composition is traditionally attributed to St Thomas Aquinas OP († 1274), the Angelic Doctor, though some scholars have dated it later (14th-15th century) without diminishing the Thomistic unction. It is the prayer par excellence for the contemplation of the Crucified, based on Psalm 21:17 — prophetic verse of the Passion recited by Christ on the Cross: «They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones». Pius IX, by decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences of 31 July 1858, granted a plenary indulgence for the devout recitation of this prayer before a Crucifix after Communion, under the general conditions. Pius XII, in 1958, renewed the indulgence. By spiritual tradition: this is the prayer particularly recommended after Communion, during the thanksgiving, or in any adoration before the Crucifix.
(Before a Crucifix, kneel. Recite with profound recollection:)
Behold I am here, O good and sweet Jesus, prostrate in your presence. I beg and beseech you, with all the fervour of my soul, that you would deign to imprint upon my heart living sentiments of faith, of hope, and of charity, with true sorrow for my sins and a most firm purpose of amendment.
While, with deep affection and sorrow of soul, I consider within myself your five wounds, having before my eyes that which David the prophet already said in your name of you, O good Jesus: «They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones» (Ps 21:17).
Amen.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.
(For the conditions of the plenary indulgence, after sacramental Communion, recite also a prayer for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff.)
In Latin
En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iesu, ante conspectum tuum genibus me provolvo,
ac maximo animi ardore te oro atque obtestor,
ut meum in cor vividos fidei, spei et caritatis sensus,
atque veram peccatorum meorum poenitentiam,
eaque emendandi firmissimam voluntatem velis imprimere;
dum magno animi affectu et dolore tua quinque vulnera mecum ipse considero ac mente contemplor,
illud prae oculis habens, quod iam in ore ponebat tuo David propheta de te, o bone Iesu:
«Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos: dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea.» (Ps 21, 17)