Prayers in Honor of Christ's Wounds, Passion, and Death

Prayers in Honor of
Christ's Wounds, Passion, and Death

to Were You There

Passion of Christ, Strengthen Me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me! Strengthen me under the pressure of temptation. Strengthen me when principle is at stake. Strengthen me to do Your Will, My God. Strengthen me in moments of suffering, in times of loneliness, in periods of depression. Strengthen me that I may never swerve from You, dear Christ, nor weaken through human respect, through a desire to be popular, through hope of social distinction. Strengthen me to accept my cross and carry it generously to the end. On the battlefield of life, stand by me that I may never prove a traitor in the ranks. Stand by me that I may not be dazzled by the glitter and glow of the enemy camp. Amen.

Prayer in the Steps of the Passion

Most dear Jesus, filled with sorrow during the agony in the garden, covered with a sweat of blood while praying, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, delivered into the hands of the wicked by a kiss, bound like a robber, and abandoned by Your disciples, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, condemned to death by an unjust Council, taken as an evildoer before Pilate, and ridiculed by the wicked Herod, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, publicly shorn of Your garments, and most cruelly scourged at the pillar, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, crowned with thorns, beaten and blindfolded, clothed in rich purple and mocked, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, likened to the infamous Barabbas, rejected by Your people, and unjustly sentenced to death, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, burdened with the weight of the Cross and led to the place of execution like a lamb to the slaughter, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, reckoned with the wicked, blasphemed, and derided, and given gall to drink to mitigate Your pain, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, dying on the Cross in the presence of Mary, pierced with a lance that drew blood and water from Your side, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, taken down and placed in the arms of Your Sorrowful Mother, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Most dear Jesus, horribly bruised and marked with five wounds, annointed for burial and placed in a tomb, have mercy on us, O Lord.

My Jesus, I thank You for dying on the Cross for my sins. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Amen.

Prayer to Imitate the Suffering Christ

O Jesus, You have called me to suffer because You on Your part suffered for me, leaving me an example that I might follow. When You were insulted, You did not return the insult. When You were mistreated, You did not counter with threats but entrusted Yourself to the One Who judges justly. By Your wounds we are healed. Help me to imitate You in suffering. Let me break with sin by means of my sufferings, so that I may no longer live according to the lusts of sinners but according to the will of the Father. Since You Yourself have suffered and been tempted, I know that You are able to bring aid to all who suffer and are tempted. I entrust myself to You and to the Father, my Creator, knowing that You will never fail me. Amen.

Prayer to Jesus on the Cross

O Jesus, for how many ages have You been on the Cross and yet people pass by in utter disregard of You except to pierce once again Your Sacred Heart. How often have I passed You by, heedless of Your overwhelming sorrow, Your countless wounds, Your infinite love. How often have I stood before You, not to comfort and console You, but to offend You by my conduct or neglect of You, to scorn Your love. You have stretched out Your Hands to comfort me, and I have seized those Hands - that might have consigned me to hell - and have bent them back upon the Cross, nailing them rigid and helpless to it. Yet I have only succeeded in imprinting my name on Your palms forever. You have loved me with an infinite love and I have taken advantage of that love to sin all the more against You. Yet my ingratitude has only succeeded in piercing Your Sacred Heart and causing Your Precious Blood to flow forth upon me.

O Jesus, let Your Blood be upon me, not for a curse, but for a blessing.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on me. Amen.

By the Passion of Your Blessed Son

O God, by the passion of Your blessed Son You made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer to the Wound of Jesus' Shoulder

(It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard asked Our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering, and Our Lord answered: "I had on My Shoulder, while I bore My cross on the Way of Sorrows, a grievous Wound, which was more painful than the others, and which is not recorded by men. Honor this Wound with thy devotion, and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through Its virtue and merit. And in regard to all those who shall venerate this Wound, I will remit to them all their venial sins, and will no longer remember their mortal sins.")

O most loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy cross, which so tore Thy Flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy most blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy cross, to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on toward heaven along the Way of the Cross. Amen.

NOVENA PRAYERS FOR THE SALVATION OF SOULS
AND THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS

After each invocation say:
My Jesus, pardon and mercy through Thy Sacred Wounds

O Jesus, Thou didst suffer and die that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Through the Agony of Thine Crown of Thorns I offer it to Thy Eternal Father that Thou wilt hear our pleas for further the grace of final perseverance for the just and mercy on sinners:

My dear parents and grandparents,
My brothers and sisters and other near relatives,
My godparents and sponsors of Confirmation,
My spiritual and temporal benefactors,
My friends and neighbors,
All for whom love or duty bids me pray,
Those who have offended me,
Those who will offend me,
Those who have suffered disadvantage of harm through me,
Those whom I, still a sinner, will offend,
Those who are especially beloved by Thee,
Those whose death is near at hand,
Those who desire most to be united to Thee,
Those who endure the greatest sufferings and trials, especially spiritual torments,
Those whose death is most remote,
Those sinners have no one to pray for them,
Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church,
The rich who do not need Thee and are thus the most destitute,
The mighty who spurn Thee,
The spiritually blind, that they might see their folly,
The frivolous, who spend their time in idleness,
The poor, who do not seek the treasures of Heaven,
The tepid, who devote little time to prayer,
The indolent, who neglect to perform good works,
Those of little faith, who neglect the frequent reception of the Sacraments,
The habitual sinners, who require for their salvation to a miracle of grace,
Parents who fail to watch over their children,
Superiors who are not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them,
Those who strive for worldly riches and pleasures,
The worldly minded, who fail to use their wealth and talents in the service of God,
Those who witness the death of others, but do not think of their own,
Those who blaspheme and commitsacrilege,
Those who violate the dignity of the human body and mind through impurity,
Those who sin because of my sins and bad example,
Those who do not provide for the life hereafter,
Those whose judgment will be severe because of the great things entrusted to them,
The pope, kings and rulers,
The bishops and their counselors,
My teachers and spiritual advisors,
The priests of this diocese,
The priests and religious of the Catholic Church,
The defenders of the holy Catholic Faith,
Those who die on the battlefield,
Those who fight for their country,
Those who will be buried in the sea,
Those who are to die suddenly, in accidents and from other causes,
Those who will die of heart attacks,
Those who suffer with cancer,
Those who suffer with AIDS,
Those who shall die without the last rites of the Church,
Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours,
For Catholic apostates, heretics, and other unbelievers,
For Catholics who hold Masonic membership or in other secret societies,
For the conversion of the Jews, Thy chosen people of old,
For abortionsists and those who aid them,
For women who seek abortions,
For those who promote or practicre contraception,
For those who give scandal, especially to children,
My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat.

PRAYER

Final perseverance and pardon grant unto all of these, O Lord;
and let Thy graces through these petitions flow unto them and be fruitful. Amen.

O Sacred Head

O Sacred Head surrounded
By crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding Head, so wounded,
Reviled and put to scorn!
Death's pallid hue comes o'er Thee,
The glow of life decays,
Yet angel hosts adore Thee
And tremble as they gaze.

I see Thy strength and vigor
All fading in the strife,
And death, with cruel vigor,
Bereaving Thee of life;
O agony and dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying,
O turn Thy face on me!

In this Thy bitter Passion,
Good Shepherd, think. of me,
With Thy most sweet compassion,
Unworthy though I be;
Beneath Thy Cross abiding,
'Forever would I rest,
In Thy dear love confiding,
And wilth Thy presence blest.

~~ by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Chaplet of the Holy Wounds
(may be said on regular Rosary beads)

On the large beads:
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ
to heal the wounds of our souls.

On the small beads:
My Jesus, pardon and mercy, through the merits
of Thy Holy Wounds.

---as taught to Sr. Mary Martha Chambon by Our Lord in France, 1907.

Little Chaplet of the Five Wounds of Jesus Crucified

Meditation 1:
O my Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the Wound in Your left Foot. I thank You for having suffered this Wound for me with so much sorrow and with so much love. I feel compassion for Your pain and for the pain of Your afflicted Mother. By the merit of this Sacred Wound, I pray that You would grant me the pardon of my sins of which I repent with my whole heart, because they have offended Your infinite goodness. O Sorrowful Mother, pray to Jesus for me.

Meditation 2:
O my Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the Wound in Your right Foot. I thank You for having suffered this Wound for me with so much sorrow and with so much love. I feel compassion for Your pain and for the pain of Your afflicted Mother. By the merit of this Sacred Wound, I pray that You would give me the strength not to fall into mortal sin and to persevere in Your grace until my death. O Sorrowful Mother, pray to Jesus for me.

Meditation 3:
O my Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the Wound in Your left Hand. I thank You for having suffered this Wound for me with so much sorrow and with so much love. I feel compassion for Your pain and for the pain of Your afflicted Mother. By the merit of this Sacred Wound, I pray that You would deliver me from hell which I have so often deserved, a place where I could never love You again. O Sorrowful Mother, pray to Jesus for me.

Meditation 4:
O my Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the Wound in Your right Hand. I thank You for having suffered this Wound for me with so much sorrow and with so much love. I feel compassion for Your pain and for the pain of Your afflicted Mother. By the merit of this Sacred Wound, I pray that You would give me the glory of paradise where I shall love You perfectly and with all my strength. O Sorrowful Mother, pray to Jesus for me.

Meditation 5:
O my Lord Jesus Christ, I adore the Wound in Your Side. I thank You for having suffered this Wound for me with so much sorrow and with so much love. I feel compassion for Your pain and for the pain of Your afflicted Mother, who alone felt all Your pain. By the merit of this Sacred Wound, I pray that You would grant me the gift of holy love for You, so that I may love You in this life and in the other life--face to face, for all eternity in paradise. O Sorrowful Mother, pray to Jesus for me.

The Litany of the Passion

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, the Eternal Wisdom, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, sold for thirty pieces of silver, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, prostrate on the ground in prayer, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, strengthened by an Angel, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, in Thine agony bathed in a bloody sweat, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, betrayed by Judas with a kiss, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, bound by the soldiers, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, forsaken by Thy disciples, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, brought before Annas and Caiphas. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, struck in the face by a servant, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, accused by false witnesses, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, declared guilty of death, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, spat upon, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, blindfolded, Have mercy on us. Jesus, smitten on the cheek, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, thrice denied by Peter, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, delivered up to Pilate, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, despised and mocked by Herod, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, clothed in a white garment, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, rejected for Barabbas, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, torn with scourges, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, bruised for our sin, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, esteemed a leper, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, covered with a purple robe, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, crowned with thorns, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, struck with a reed upon the head, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, demanded for crucifixion by the Jews, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, condemned to an ignominious death, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, given up to the will of Thine enemies, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, loaded with the heavy weight of the Cross, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, led like a sheep to the slaughter, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, stripped of Thy garments, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, fastened with nails to the cross, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, reviled by the malefactors, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, promising paradise to the penitent thief, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, commending St. John to Thy Mother as her son, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, declaring Thyself forsaken by Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, in Thy thirst given gall and vinegar to drink, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, testifying that all things written concerning Thee were accomplished, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, commending Thy Spirit into the hand of Thy Father, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, obedient even to the death of the Cross, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, pierced with a lace, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, made a propitiation for us, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, taken down from the Cross, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, laid in the sepulcher, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, rising gloriously from the dead, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, ascending into Heaven, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, our advocate with the Father, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, sending down on Thy disciples the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, exalting Thy Mother above the choirs of Angels, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, Who shalt come to judge the living and the dead, Have mercy on us.

Be merciful, Spare us, O Lord. Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
From all sin, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
From anger, hatred, and every evil will, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
From war, famine, and pestilence, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
From all dangers of mind and body, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
From everlasting death, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy most pure Conception, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy miraculous Nativity, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy humble Circumcision, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy Baptism and holy fasting, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy labors and watchings, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy cruel scourging and crowning, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy thirst, and tears, and nakedness, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy precious death and Cross, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
Through Thy sending forth the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, Lord Jesus, deliver us.
In the day of judgment, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

We sinners beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would spare us, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would pardon us, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe to bring us to true penance, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe mercifully to pour into our hearts the grace of the Holy Spirit, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe to defend and propagate Thy holy Church, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe to preserve and increase all societies assembled in Thy Holy Name, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe to bestow upon us true peace, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe to give us perseverance in grace and in Thy holy service, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe to deliver us from unclean thoughts, the temptations of the devil, and everlasting damnation,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe to unite us to the company of Thy Saints, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou would vouchsafe graciously to hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Christ, hear us; Christ, graciously hear us.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:
R . Because by Your Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Let Us Pray: Almighty and eternal God, Who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Savior of the world, and hast willed to be appeased with His blood, grant that we may so venerate this price of our salvation, and by its might be so defended upon earth from the evils of this present life, that in heaven we may rejoice in its everlasting fruit. Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Litany of the Holy Cross

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, our Advocate, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Cross whereon the Lamb of God was offered, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Pledge of the resurrection of the dead, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Shelter of persecuted innocence, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Guide of the blind, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Way of those who have gone astray, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Staff of the lame, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Consolation of the poor, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Restraint of the powerful, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Destruction of the proud, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Refuge of sinners, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Trophy of victory over Hell, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Terror of demons, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Mistress of youth, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Succor of the distressed, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Hope of the hopeless, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Star of the mariner, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Harbor of the wrecked, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Rampart of the besieged, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Father of orphans, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Defense of widows, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Counsel of the just, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Judge of the wicked, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Rest of the afflicted, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Safeguard of childhood, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Strength of manhood, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Last hope of the aged, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Light of those who sit in darkness, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Splendor of kings, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Civilizer of the world, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Shield impenetrable, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Wisdom of the foolish, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Liberty of slaves, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Knowledge of the ignorant, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Sure rule of life, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Heralded by Prophets, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Preached by Apostles, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Glory of Martyrs, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Study of hermits, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Chastity of virgins, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Joy of priests, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Foundation of the Church, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Salvation of the world, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Destruction of idolatry, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Stumbling block to the Jews, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Condemnation of the ungodly, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Support of the weak, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Medicine of the sick, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Health of the leprous, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Strength of the paralytic, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Bread of the hungry, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Fountain of those who thirst, Save us, O Holy Cross.
Clothing of the naked, Save us, O Holy Cross.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
R. Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Behold the Cross of the Lord! Begone ye evil powers!
The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has conquered! Alleluia!

Let Us Pray: O God, Who for the redemption of the world, wast pleased to be born in a stable and to die upon a cross; O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy holy sufferings, which we, Thy unworthy servants, call to mind: by Thy Holy Cross, and by Thy death, deliver us from the pains of Hell, and vouchsafe to conduct us whither Thou didst conduct the good thief who was crucified with Thee, Who livest and reignest eternally in Heaven. Amen.

Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the Burden which thou bearest, for thou alone, O Holy Cross,
wast worthy to bear the King and Lord of Heaven. Amen.

Litany in Honor of the True Cross

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

The word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in Heaven, but few who bear His Cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are willing to suffer for His sake. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Why do you fear to take up the Cross, which is the road to the Kingdom? In the Cross is salvation and life, protection against our enemies, infusion of Heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind, joy of spirit, excellence of virtue, perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Take up the Cross, therefore, and follow Jesus, and go forward into eternal life. Christ has gone before you, bearing His Cross; He died for you on the Cross, that you also may bear your cross, and desire to die on the Cross with Him. For if you die with Him, you will also live with Him. And if you share His sufferings, you will also share His glory. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

See how in the Cross all things consist, and in dying on it all things depend. There is no other way to life and to true inner peace, than the way of the Cross. Go where you will, seek what you will; you will find no higher way above nor safer way below than the road of the Holy Cross. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The Cross always stands ready, and everywhere awaits you. You cannot escape it, wherever you flee; for wherever you go, you bear yourself, and always find yourself. Look up or down, without you or within, and everywhere you will find the Cross. And everywhere you must have patience, if you wish to attain inner peace, and win an eternal crown. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us to follow Thee not only to the Breaking of Bread but also to the drinking of the Cup of Thy Passion. Help us to love Thee for Thine own sake and not for the sake of comfort for ourselves. Make us worthy to suffer for Thy name, Jesus, our Crucified and Risen Lord and Savior, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of the Seven Last Words

O Divine Jesus, Incarnate Son of God, for our salvation You consented to be born in a stable, to spend Your whole life amid poverty, trials, and misery, and to die surrounded by sufferings on the Cross. At the hour of my death, please tell Your Father, "Father, forgive them." Tell Your Mother, "Behold your child." Tell my soul, "This day you shall be with Me in paradise."

My God, my God, do not forsake me in that hour. I thirst, yes, my soul thirsts for You Who are the fountain of living waters. My life passes away like a shadow; in a short while everything will be accomplished. Therefore, my adored Saviour, from this moment and for all eternity, into Your Hands I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Amen.

Meditations and Prayers on the Seven Last Words of Jesus

V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.

First Word: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Dear Jesus, Who for my love, suffered upon the Cross in order to pay with Your sufferings the debt of my sins and opened Your Divine Lips to obtain for me their remission from the eternal justice of God, have pity on me and on all the faithful who are in their last agony. When I come to that last hour, by the merits of Your most Precious Blood, which was shed for my salvation, give me such a lively sorrow for my sins that my soul will then expire in the bosom of Your Divine Mercy. My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, and I love You. I repent of having offended You by my sins. Amen.

Second Word: "This day you shall be with Me in paradise."

Dear Jesus, Who for my love hung in agony upon the Cross, and with such readiness and bounty responds to the Good Thief when he acknowledges You to be the Son of God, and assures him of paradise, have pity on me and all the faithful who are in their last agony. When I shall come to the end of my life, by the merits of Your most Precious Blood, inspire in my soul a faith so firm and constant that it shall not waver at any suggestions of the evil one, so I may obtain the reward of holy paradise. My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, and I love You. I repent of having offended You by my sins. Amen.

Third Word: "Behold your mother; behold your son."

Dear Jesus, Who for my love hung in agony upon the Cross and Who, forgetting Your own sufferings, gifted me with Your Holy Mother as a pledge of Your love through her, I pray that I will be enabled to call upon You with confidence in my greatest need. Have pity on me and all the faithful who are in their last agony. Through the interior martyrdom of Your dear Mother, inspire in my heart a firm trust in the infinite merits of Your most Precious Blood, so that I may be able to escape the eternal damnation, which I have merited by my sins. My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, and I love You. I repent of having offended You by my sins. Amen.

Fourth Word: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Dear Jesus, Who for my love hung in agony upon the Cross and Who, adding suffering to suffering, in addition to Your bodily pains, endured with infinite patience the most painful affliction of spirit at being abandoned by Your Eternal Father, have pity on me and all the faithful who are in their last agony. When I come to the hour of my own death, by the merits of Your Precious Blood, grant me the grace of suffering with true patience all the pains and agony of my death struggle, so that by uniting my sufferings to Yours, I may be able at last to share Your glory in paradise. My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, and I love You. I repent of having offended You by my sins. Amen.

Fifth Word: "I thirst."

Dear Jesus, Who for my love hung in agony upon the Cross, and Who, not yet satisfied with so many reproaches and sufferings, suffered even more so that all people might be saved. The whole torrent of Your Passion is not enough to slake the thirst of Your Loving Heart. Have pity on me and all the faithful who are in their last agony, and upon me, so when I arrive at my final hour I will have lighted within me a fire of love so great that my heart will be filled with the desire of being united with You for all of eternity. My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, and I love You. I repent of having offended You by my sins. Amen.

Sixth Word: "It is finished."

Dear Jesus, Who for my love hung in agony upon the Cross, and from that pulpit of truth proclaimed that You had finished the work of our redemption, whereby humankind, from being children of wrath and perdition, have been made children of God and heirs of heaven, have pity on me and all the faithful who are in their last agony. When I arrive at my final hour, by the merits of Your most Precious Blood, detach me completely from the world and from myself, granting me the grace to offer You from my heart the sacrifice of my life in expiation of my sins. My God, I believe in You, I hope in You, and I love You. I repent of having offended You by my sins. Amen.

Seventh Word: "Father, into Your Hands I commend My Spirit."

Dear Jesus, Who for my love hung in agony upon the Cross, and in order to complete the great sacrifice embraced the Will of Your Eternal Father, resigning Your Spirit into His Hands and then bowing Your Head and dying. Have pity on all the faithful who are in their last agony and upon me. When I have come to my final moment, by the merits of Your Precious Blood, grant me a perfect conformity to Your Divine Will, so that I may be ready to live or die as it pleases You. I desire nothing else except the perfect fulfillment in me of Your Divine Will. Amen.

Prayer to Our Crucified Lord

Heavenly Father, in the Holy Name of Your Son Jesus, crucified for my sins, and in the love of the Holy Spirit, I come very humbly before You, with sorrow for my sins. I acknowledge that You suffered so much for me and for all, and that we are indebted to You forever.

Father, I appreciate very much Your sufferings for me and for the rest of humanity. I thank You for saving me through Your crushing pain, through Your many wounds, through Your tiredness and agony and through Your Precious Blood shed with so much pain and love for us; through Your difficulty to breath, through Your sweat and tears, through Your merciful patience, through every effort that You made and through Your total offering for my sins and for the sins of the whole world.

Lord, I complain sometimes when I have a little misfortune, a wound or when I am sick or tired, rejected, despised or prosecuted. But You were covered through Your entire Body with painful wounds; You were pierced with pain by the crown of thorns, You were stripped of Your Flesh by the scourging, You were insulted with terrible blasphemies, You were spat upon, You were humiliated, You were inflicted new wounds upon Your wounded shoulder by the crushing weight of the cross, You were inflicted more wounds upon Your wounds by the brutal stripping of Your garments, You were pierced painfully by the nails on the cross, You were hanged upon the cross to bleed painfully to death, You suffered asphyxiation as You found it very painful to breathe, and yet Your physical agony was only part of Your suffering compared to Your spiritual agony because You are God, and Your Holy Soul was sorrowful unto death as You surrendered Your life in exchange for our eternal life.

You saw the ingratitude of men for Your great sacrifice, and You suffered for the pride of our sins, for the aggressiveness of those whom You created with so much love, for the hatred of men who always receive all Your love if only they come to You. My Lord Jesus, I come humbly before You, everlasting fountain of healing and life, Powerful Source of our Resurrection, food for our souls, eternal refuge of Divine Light, gate to the Majesty and Glory of the Father and our only hope and salvation.

Divine Merciful Lord, I pray and beseech on behalf of all humanity for Your Mercy and compassion, for Your healing and blessings and for Your Salvation.

O Precious Treasure from Heaven, You who are hidden to the proud, fill my heart with humility and purity that I may be worthy to receive the promises of everlasting life in Your Glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Lord into Your Sacred Heart I place my heart united to all my needs and desires, I present humbly my petitions, please listen to my plea, embrace me with Your love, respond to my soul, look at me Your child who comes attracted by Your love.

Father, in Your crucified Body I reverently place my sinfulness, my sicknesses and those of the people that I pray for; since You bore our diseases and infirmities, since You endured our sufferings and paid for our sins. Please dissolve them in Your mercy; grant me these petitions in Your Holy Name. Amen.

Pray also the Prayers of St. Bridget and St. Gertrude: their
meditations on the Passion of Christ.