Crucem tuam adoramus — Antiphon to the Holy Cross

The antiphon Crucem tuam adoramus, Domine — «We adore your Cross, Lord» — is one of the most ancient liturgical formulas preserved in the Roman rite. It is prescribed by the Roman Missal for the chant which accompanies the procession of the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday, and is also used at Vespers of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September) and of the Finding of the Holy Cross. Through its simple structure and repeated antiphon, it lends itself to devout recitation outside Good Friday, at any moment when the Christian wishes to particularly honour the redeeming Cross — especially on Fridays of the year, at the beginning of the day or before a Crucifix. Its composition is attested since the Gelasian Sacramentary (8th century) and the Missal of St Gregory the Great († 604).

Latin (Missale Romanum, antiphon of the Adoration of the Cross):

Crucem tuam adoramus, Domine,
et sanctam resurrectionem tuam laudamus et glorificamus:
ecce enim propter lignum venit gaudium in universo mundo.

Deus misereatur nostri, et benedicat nobis;
illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri.

Crucem tuam adoramus, Domine,
et sanctam resurrectionem tuam laudamus et glorificamus:
ecce enim propter lignum venit gaudium in universo mundo.

English (literal translation):

We adore your Cross, Lord,
and we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection:
for behold through the wood joy came into the whole world.

May God have mercy on us, and bless us;
may he cause his face to shine upon us, and have mercy on us (cf. Ps 66:2).

We adore your Cross, Lord,
and we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection:
for behold through the wood joy came into the whole world.

Amen.