Crucis adoratio - Adoring the Cross with Francis
Expanding on the Good Friday prayer popularized by St. Francis of Assisi
Adoramus te, [Sanctissime] Domine Jesu Christe et ad omnes ecclesias tuas, quae sunt in toto mundo, et benedicimus tibi, quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
cf. Liber Antiphonalis, PL 78, 804; Doctrina Beati Bernardi, PL 184, 1177: this contains the shorter version (in bold), as in the liturgy; for the longer version, cf. 13.5 Testamentum -Franciscus Assisiensis [Assisii]
We adore Thee, O [most holy Lord Jesus] Christ, [here and in all Thy churches that are in the whole world], and we bless Thee; because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the World. Amen.
Francis of Assisi could not contain himself at times, and he would simply add to the liturgical refrains that he loved so much - but he was not the only one to let this phrase suggest to him other pious thoughts.
The Doctrina Beati Bernardi in Patrologia Latina 184, column 1177, also has this poignant encouragement for what else you might profitably do before and after you offer this brief prayer. Granted, the whole original text was written for monks, but this part seems appropriate for just about anyone!
Deinde, venies ad ecclesiam, pone manum super ostium, et dic: expectate hic, cogitationes malae, intentiones et affectus cordis, et appetitus carnis. Tu autem, anima mea, intra in gaudium Domini Dei tui, ut videns voluntatem Domini, et visites templum ejus. Sicque veniens ante crucem dic: “adoramus te, Christe, etc…"1
Deinde, quoties dixeris versum in choro tuo, illum qui in choro altero dicitur, dicas silenter: et versus singulos saltem aliquo pipere consperges, meditatione scilicet aliqua spirituali; quia animum delicatum habes, et escae ejus electae debent esse.2
Et ne defigas oculos tuos longius ante te, quam protenditur proceritas corporis tui; quia hoc multum impedit vagationes animi. Et depinges ibi quasi resupinatum ante te Dominum in cruce, et nunc pro clavis, nunc pro spinis, nunc pro sputis, nunc pro lateris effossione suspirabis, et gratias ages.3
Cum exeundum fuerit a choro, dices Domino: adhuc habeo, Domine, privatas laudes et benedictiones tibi dicere, quas scilicet nunc a publicis exiens cantabo tibi, et psallam in gloria mea.4
Then, when you come to the church, put your hand over your mouth and say: wait here, evil thoughts, intentions and emotions of the heart and flesh. Thou, however, O my soul, enter into thy Lord God's joy, so that when thou dost see the Lord' will, thou might visit His temple. And come before the Cross to say: "we adore Thee, O Christ, etc."
Then, as often as you say this verse in your choir, say the other choir's [verse] silently and on each verse you will at least sprinkle some pepper - I mean some spiritual meditation - because you have a delicate soul and it must have choice foods.
And do not let your eyes go any longer before you than your body's own measure, because that greatly impedes the soul's wandering; and you will imagine there, as it were in front of you, the Lord upon the Cross, beaten down, and you will longingly sigh for his nails at one moment, then for the thorns, at how they spat upon him, and then for his pierced side - and you will give thanks.
When you leave the choir, say to the Lord: Lord, I still have private praise and blessing to say to Thee, which I will sing to you now as I am leaving the public [offices], and I will sing a psalm of this in my glory.