The Prayer Before a Crucifix, also known as "En Ego, O Bone et Dulcissime Iesu," is a traditional Catholic prayer for meditating on Christ's Passion. Originating in the medieval Church, it asks Jesus to impress upon the heart the virtues of faith, hope, and charity while contemplating His five wounds.
This prayer has ancient roots, appearing in prayer books since the 14th century. Its prominence grew significantly when Pope Pius VII attached a plenary indulgence to its recitation. This grant, confirmed in the official Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, is available to the faithful who recite it devoutly before an image of the crucified Christ after receiving Communion. It is especially associated with the Fridays of Lent, linking the prayer to the Church's weekly commemoration of the Passion.
The prayer guides the soul from petition to contemplation. It begins by asking for the theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—which are pure gifts from God (CCC 1813). It then moves to personal repentance, asking for "true contrition" and a "firm purpose of amendment." The prayer culminates in a direct, affective meditation on the five wounds of Christ, using the prophetic words of Psalm 22 to connect Old Testament foreshadowing with the reality of the crucifixion.
This prayer is most fittingly recited while kneeling before a crucifix. The Church specifically encourages its use after receiving Holy Communion, particularly on the Fridays during Lent, to gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions. It is also a powerful devotion for personal use during Adoration, as part of the Stations of the Cross, or at any time one wishes to meditate on the Lord's sacrifice and seek forgiveness for sins.
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