O Crux, ave spes unica,
Which told the world, that from a Tree, The LORD should all the nations sway. Most royally empurpled o’er, How beautiful thy stem doth shine, How glorious was its lot to touch Those limbs so holy and divine! Thrice blest, upon whose arms outstretched The SAVIOUR of the world reclined; Balance sublime! upon whose beam Was weigh’d the ransom of mankind. Hail, Cross! thou only hope of man, Sign of redemption’s glorious day, ? To saints increase the grace they have! From sinners purge their guilt away. Salvation’s spring, blest Trinity, Be praise to Thee through earth and skies: Thou through the Cross the victory Dost give; oh, also give the prize. Amen.
In Passiontide: Hoc Passionis tempore Hail, on this holy Passion day. In Paschal Time:
132.Prayer to Our Lord scourged at the Pillar. 100 Days, once a day. (See Instructions.)
From today, then, it shall be so no more. Bound to Thee with eternal bonds and fastened with Thee to the column, as long as my life endures, I will make satisfaction to thy offended justice. By the column to which Thou wast bound, by the scourges which furrowed thy innocent flesh, by the blood Thou didst shed in such abundance, have pity, O LORD, have pity, on me in my desolation. Release me this day from the snares of the tempter and preserve me from them for ever; and at the end of this exile, receive me in heaven. Amen.