Revealed by
OUR LORD TO SAINT BRIDGET
PROMISES | 15 PRAYERS | APPROBATION | ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN
In the church at Saint Paul in Rome whoever performs these exercises every day, will have recited in one year as many prayers, together with 15 Our Father's and Hail Mary's, as OUR LORD received blows during His Sorrowful Passion
Jesus attached the most MAGNIFICENT PROMISES to the performance of these devotions in favor of those who carry on this Holy practice.
As St. Bridget has been desirous for a long time to know the number of blows Our Lord received during His Passion, He one day appeared to her and said: " I received 5,480 blows, in my Body. If you wish to honor them in some way, say 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Mary's with the following prayers (which He taught her) for a whole year. When the year is up, you will have honored each one of my wounds."
He further made the following promises to anyone who recited these prayers for a whole year:
- I will deliver 15 souls of his lineage from Purgatory.
- 14 souls of his lineage will be confirmed and preserved in grace.
- 15 sinners of his lineage will be converted.
- Whoever recites these prayers will attain the first degree of perfection.
- 15 days before his death I will give him my Precious Body in order that he may escape eternal starvation; I will give him my Precious Blood to drink lest he thirst eternally.
- 15 days before his death he will conceive a deep contrition for all his sins and a perfect knowledge of them.
- I will place before him my victorious cross for his help and defense against the attacks of his enemies.
- Before his death I will come with my dearest and beloved Mother.
- I will graciously receive his soul, and will lead it into eternal joys.
- And having led it there. I will give him a special draught from the fountain of my Deity, something I will not do for those who have not recited my Prayers.
- Let it be known that whoever may have been living in a state of mortal sin for 30 years, but who will recite devoutly, or have the intention to recite these Prayers, the Lord will forgive him all his sins.
- I will defend him against evil temptations.
- I will preserve and guard his five senses.
- I will preserve him from a sudden death.
- His soul will be delivered from eternal death.
- He will obtain all he asks from God and the Blessed Virgin.
- If he has lived all his life doing his own will and he is to die the next day, his life will be prolonged.
- Every time one recites these Prayers, he will gain 100 days indulgences.
- He will be assured of being joined to the supreme Choir of Angels.
- Whoever teaches these Prayers to another, will have continual joy and merit which will last throughout eternity.
- There where these Prayers are being said or may be said in the future, God will be present there by His grace.
All these privileges were promised to St. Bridget by a picture of Our Lord Jesus Christ crucified, on condition that she say them every day; they are promised also to all those who say them devoutly every day for the space of one year.
FIRST PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus Christ, eternal sweetness to those who love Thee, joy surpassing all joy and all desires, salvation and hope of all sinners; Thou Who hast proved that Thou hast no greater desire that to be amongst men, assuming human nature even for a course of time for love of men, recall all the sufferings that Thou has endured at the first moment of Thy conception, and especially during Thy Passion, as it was decreed and ordained in the Divine Plan from all eternity.
Remember, O Lord that Thou gavest Thy Precious Body and Blood to Thy disciples after having washed their feet during the Last Supper; that Thou didst sweetly console them as Thou didst foretell them Thy coming Passion.
Remember the sadness and bitterness which Thou didst experience in Thy soul as Thou prayed:
"My soul is sorrowful even unto death."
Remember all the fear, the anguish and the pain that Thou didst suffer in Thy tender Body before Thy crucifixion, when, in the bloom of Thy youth, after having prayed three separate times and bathed in a sweat of blood, Thou wast betrayed by Judas, Thy disciple, Thou hadst chosen and exalted, Thou wast accused by false witnesses and unjustly condemned by three judges during the solemn Paschal season. Remember that Thou wast despoiled of Thy garments and in turn wast clothed with the garments of mockery; That Thy face buffeted and crowned with Thorns; and eyes were veiled; That Thou was fastened to a column, crushed with blows and overwhelmed with ignominious insults and abuses.
In memory of all these pains and sufferings which Thou didst endure before Thy Passion on the cross, grant, that before I die, I may make with true contrition, a sincere and entire confession, make worthy satisfaction and be given the remission of all my sins. Amen.
SECOND PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! True Liberty of angels, Paradise of delights! Remember the horror and sadness which Thou didst endure when, like furious lions, Thy enemies surrounded Thee, and by thousands of blows, insults, lacerations and unheard of cruelties, tormented Thee at will.
By these torments and insulting words, I beg Thee, O my Savior, to deliver me from ALL my visible and invisible enemies, and may I attain, under Thy protection, the perfection of eternal salvation. Amen.
THIRD PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Creator of heaven and earth, Whom nothing can encompass nor limit! Thou Who dost enfold and hold all under Thy loving power! Remember the very bitter pain which Thou didst suffer, when, with big blunt nails and with blows delivered one after another, the Jews nailed Thy sacred hands and feet to the cross. Remember O Lord Thy infinite anguish, when Thy cruel tormentors, not finding Thee in a sufficiently pitiable state to satisfy their rage and cruelty, enlarged Thy wounds. Remember Thy painful agony when Thy executioners added more pain to Thy sufferings when they stretched Thy Body on the cross and dislocated Thy bones by pulling them mercilessly apart.
I beg of Thee, O Jesus, by the memory of this most holy and most loving suffering of the cross, to grant me the grace to fear Thee and love Thee. Amen.
FOURTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Heavenly Physician, raised aloft on the cross that our wounds might be healed by Thy own! Remember the bruises and the weaknesses which Thou didst suffer in Thy whole Being that never was there pain like unto Thine. From the crown of Thy head to the souls of Thy feet there was not a spot on Thy Body that was not in torment. And yet forgetting all Thy sufferings, Thou didst not cease to pray to Thy heavenly Father for Thy enemies, saying:
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
Through this great mercy, and in memory of this suffering, grant that the remembrance of Thy most bitter Passion may effect in us a perfect contrition and the remission of all our sins. Amen.
FIFTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus, Mirror of Eternal Splendor, remember the sadness which Thou experienced when, seeing by the light of Thy Divinity the predestination of Those who would be saved by the merits of Thy Sacred Passion, Thou didst see at the same time the great multitude of reprobates who would be damned for their sins, making Thee complain bitterly of those hopeless, lost and unfortunate sinners.
Through this abyss of compassion and especially through the goodness Thou displayed to the Good Thief when Thou saidst to him:
"This day thou shalt be with Me in paradise."
I beg of Thee, O sweet Jesus, That at THE HOUR OF MY DEATH, THOU WILT SHOW ME MERCY. Amen.
SIXTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Most loving and most desirable King! Remember the grief that Thou didst suffer, when naked, and like a common criminal, Thou wast fastened to and raised aloft on the cross, when all Thy relatives and friends had forsaken Thee, except Thy beloved Mother who remained with Thee during Thy agony.
Remember Thy grief as Thou didst entrust Thy Mother to Thy faithful disciple when Thou didst address Them:
"Woman behold Thy son," "Behold Thy Mother."
By the sword of sorrow that pierced the soul of Thy Holy Mother, I beg Thee, O my Savior, to have mercy on me in all my corporal and spiritual afflictions, and to assist me in all my trial, especially AT THE HOUR OF MY DEATH. Amen.
SEVENTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! inexhaustible fountain of compassion, Who, by a gesture of profound love, said from the cross: "I Thirst!" suffered from the Thirst for the salvation of all men, I beg Thee, O my Savior, to inflame in our hearts the desire for perfection in all our acts; to extinguish in us the concupiscence of the flesh and the ardors of worldly desires. Amen.
EIGHTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Sweetness of hearts and Delight of the Spirit! By the bitterness of the gall and vinegar that Thou didst taste on the cross for love of us, grant us the grace to receive Thy Precious Body and Blood worthily during our life and at THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH, that They may serve as remedy and consolation for our souls. Amen.
NINTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Kingly Virtue and Joy of the mind! Recall the pain that Thou didst endure when, plunged in an ocean of bitterness at the approach of death, insulted and outraged by the Jews, Thou didst cry out in a loud voice that Thou was abandoned by Thy Father, as Thou saidst: "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me!"
Through this anguish, I beg of Thee, O my Savior, not to abandon me in the terrors and in THE PAINS OF MY DEATH. Amen.
TENTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Thou Who art the Beginning and End of all things, - of life and of virtue! Remember that for our sake Thou wast plunged in an abyss of suffering, from the souls of Thy feet to the crown of Thy head. Meditating upon Thy innumerable wounds, teach me to keep Thy commandments, through pure love, - Thy divine commandments, the fulfillment of which is easy for those who love Thee. Amen.
ELEVENTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Deep abyss of mercy! I beg Thee, (for the sake of the wounds which pierced the very marrow of Thy bones and the very depths, of Thy Being), to draw a miserable sinner like me who is overwhelmed by great offences, away from sin. Hide me from Thy face justly irritated against me, - hide me in Thy wounds until Thy anger and indignation shall have passed away. Amen.
TWELFTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Mirror of truth, Symbol of unity and Link of charity! Remember the multitude of wounds that afflicted Thee from head to foot, - Thy wounds that tore and reddened Thy whole Being by the spilling of Thy adorable Blood. O great and universal pain which Thou didst suffer in Thy Divine flesh for love of us! Sweetest Jesus! What is there that Thou couldst have done for us that Thou hast not done?
May Thy suffering bear fruits in my soul through the faithful remembrance of Thy Passion. May Thy love grow in my heart each day until that moment when I shall behold Thee in eternity. Thou who art the treasure house of all goodness and joy. O sweetest Jesus, I beg of Thee to grant me this precious gift of heaven. Amen.
THIRTEENTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Strong Lion, Immortal and Invincible King! Remember the pain which Thou didst endure when all Thy moral and physical strength was entirely exhausted, and Thou didst bow Thy head saying: "All in consummated:"
By this anguish and grief, I beg of Thee, O Lord, to have mercy on me at the hour of my death, when my mind will be greatly troubled and my soul will be in great anguish. Amen.
FOURTEENTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! Only Son of the Father, Splendor and Figure of His substance! Remember the simple but humble recommendation Thou didst make of Thy soul to Thy Eternal Father when Thou didst say: "Father, unto Thy hands I commend my spirit," and when Thy Body and Thy Heart all broken, and the springs of Thy mercy opened themselves to redeem us, Thou didst expire.
By this precious death of Thine, I beg of Thee, O King of Saints, to comfort me and to give me strength to resist the devil, the flesh, and the world, so that, being dead to the world, I may live for Thee alone, I beg of Thee to receive me, a pilgrim and an exile returning to Thee at THE HOUR OF MY DEATH. Amen.
FIFTEENTH PRAYER
OUR FATHER-HAIL MARY
O Jesus! True and fruitful Vine! Remember the abundant outpouring of Blood which Thou didst so generously shed, pressed down and running over as the grape crushed in the wine press saints, praise Thee forever. Amen.
From Thy side, pierced with a lance by a soldier, blood and water issued forth until there was not left in Thy Body a single drop, and finally, like a bundle of myrrh lifted to the very top of the cross, Thy delicate flesh was destroyed, the very substance of Thy Body withered, and the marrow of Thy bones dried up.
I beg of Thee, O sweet Jesus, to pierce my heart that my tears of penance and love may feed my soul each night and day. May I be converted entirely to Thee, may my conversion be pleasing to Thee, and may the end of my life be so praiseworthy that I may merit heaven and there, with Thy saints praise Thee forever. Amen.
These prayers and promises made for their recital, were copied from a book printed in Toulouse in 1740, and published by Father Adien Parviliers of the Society of Jesus, Missionary Apostolic of the Holy Land with the approbation, permission and recommendation to spread the devotion.
At the time of St. Bridget in the XIV century, printing had not been invented but recourse was had to copyists. Pope Urban VI encouraged the multiplication of the number of copies of the revelations of St. Bridget, which kings, Bishops, Universities, Convents, and Libraries were clamoring for.
The books containing these prayers and promises have been approved by a great number of prelates among whom are His Eminence Cardinal Giraud of Toulouse in 1863. The collection of small books, among which these Prayers, was blessed by His Holiness Pope Pius IX on May 31, 1862. Finally this collection was recommended by the Great Congress of Malines on August 22, 1863.
Those who visit the church of St. Paul at Rome can see the natural size crucifix sculptured by Pierre Cavallini before which St. Bridget knelt and the following inscription is placed in the church: "Pendentis pendente Dei verba accipit aure accipit et verbum corde Brigitta Deum. Anno Jubilei MCCCL" which recalls the prodigy with which the crucifix conversed with Bridget.
St. Brigitta or St. Bridget, daughter of Birgir, royal prince of Sweden, was born about the year 1302 of highly pious parents. Having lost her virtuous mother soon after birth, little Bridget was brought up by one of her highly virtuous aunts. She could not speak before the age of three; but as soon as she spoke, she began praising God. In early childhood serious discourses pleased her and grace powerfully filled her heart so that only pious readings attracted her.
At the age of ten she was particularly touched by a sermon she heard on the Passion of Our Lord. The following night she believed that she saw Our Lord nailed to the cross and all covered with blood and wounds. At the same time she heard a voice saying: "LOOK UPON ME, MY DAUGHTER." "O DEAR LORD," asked St. Bridget, "WHO HAS TREATED YOU SO CRUELLY?" Our Lord replied: "THOSE WHO DESPISE ME AND ARE INSENSIBLE TO MY LOVE FOR THEM." That mysterious dream left so deep an impression on her that from then on, she continually meditated on the sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ which drove her to tears.
At the age of 15, through obedience, she was married to (Prince) Ulf, a very pious young man and they had eight children (and one of her daughters became St. Catherine of Sweden).
St. Bridget's examples more than her instructions sanctified her large family. Her revelations and other celestial favors made her all the more fervent and humble. She died at Rome in 1373 after having returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and founded the Brigittines.
She practiced and meditated often on the life and sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the year. She founded the Brigittines.
"Jesus, Mary, I love You, Save Souls"