The Little Psalter of the Most Holy Face of Jesus is a devotional prayer composed of select scripture verses that reflect the spirit of the full Book of Psalms. Much like the Rosary (sometimes called “Our Lady’s Psalter”), it condenses the essence of the Psalms into a smaller, meditative format focused on the Holy Face of Christ.
This devotion is centered on contemplating the sufferings of Jesus, especially those endured in His Holy Face during the Passion. It’s often prayed as an act of reparation for blasphemies and offenses against God, and as a way to draw closer to the mystery of Christ’s love and suffering.
To pray it, one typically:
- Begins with an invocation such as “O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.”
- Recites short scripture-based prayers or verses that honor the Holy Face.
- Reflects on the five senses of Jesus (touch, hearing, sight, smell, taste) and how each was afflicted during His Passion.
- Ends with a prayer of reparation or adoration, often using phrases like “Arise, O Lord, and let Thy enemies be scattered, and let all that hate Thee flee from before Thy Face.”
It’s a quiet, contemplative devotion—perfect for those seeking a deeper connection with Christ’s suffering and a way to offer spiritual consolation.
The Little Psalter of the Most Holy Face of Jesus
Opening (pray 3 times):
Hear, O Lord Jesus, the prayers of thy servant.
Cause Thy Face to shine upon Thy sanctuary.
(Daniel 9:17)
On the Our Father beads:
My soul is athirst for God, the strong and living God;
when shall I come and appear before the Face of God?
(Psalm 41:3)
On the Hail Mary beads:
Thy Face, Lord Jesus, will I seek,
turn not away Thy Face from me.
(Psalm 26:8-9)
To conclude each decade:
Behold, O God our protector:
and look upon the Face of Thy Christ.
(Psalm 83:10)
At the end of five decades (pray three times):
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered:
and let them that hate Him flee from before His Face.
(Psalm 67:2)
Conclusion:
The light of Thy Face, Lord Jesus, is signed upon us;
Thou hast given gladness in my heart.
(Psalm 4:7)
Psalterium Parvum Sacratissimi Vultus Iesu
Opening (pray 3 times):
Exaudi, Domine Iesu, preces servi tui.
Illumina faciem tuum super sanctuarium tuum.
(Daniel 9:17)
On the Our Father beads:
Sitivit anima mea ad Deum fortem, vivum;
quando veniam et apparebo ante faciem Dei?
(Psalm 41:3)
On the Hail Mary beads:
Vultum tuum, Domine Iesu, requiram,
ne avertas faciem tuam a me.
(Psalm 26:8-9)
To conclude each decade:
Protector noster, aspice, Deus,
et respice in faciem Christi tui.
(Psalm 83:10)
At the end of five decades (pray three times):
Exsurgat Deus, et dissipentur inimici eius:
Et fugiant qui oderunt eum a facie eius.
(Psalm 67:2)
Conclusion:
Signatum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Domine Iesu;
dedisti laetitiam in corde meo.
