Prayer to the Holy Face of Jesus

“May the Holy Face of Jesus be my light, my strength, and my love.” — Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli

Public Domain: Saint Veronica: Christ falls under the weight of the Cross, Saint Veronica takes an impression of his face on a cloth. Engraving by A. Campanella, 1771, after D. de Angelis after A. Sacchi. Via Wellcome Collection.

The Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, in presenting ourselves before Your adorable Face, we implore You to fix deep in our hearts true sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, of true sorrow for our sins, and a firm purpose of amendment. May we be ever ready to make reparation for our sins and those of all mankind. O Jesus, through the merits of Your Holy Face, have pity on us, and grant us Your grace and mercy. Amen.

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About This Prayer

The Prayer to the Holy Face of Jesus is a Catholic devotion that focuses on honoring the countenance of Christ, especially as it appeared during His Passion. Rooted in Scripture and the Church’s tradition of reparation, this prayer recalls the suffering of Christ in His face — struck, spat upon, and crowned with thorns — and invites the faithful to console Him through love and penance. The devotion to the Holy Face was promoted especially in the 19th century by Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli and was encouraged by Pope Pius XII. For Catholics, this prayer is a way of offering reparation for sins, adoring Christ’s divine dignity, and seeking mercy.

When To Pray

The Prayer to the Holy Face of Jesus may be prayed at any time, but it holds particular meaning on Tuesdays, which are traditionally dedicated to the Holy Face. It is especially fitting during Lent, when the faithful reflect on Christ’s Passion, and on the Feast of the Holy Face, observed on the day before Ash Wednesday. Many Catholics also turn to this prayer when they seek mercy, desire to make reparation for sin, or long to console Christ in His suffering.