Carlston Marcks, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
St. Bridget of Sweden, the 14th-century mystic and co-patroness of Europe, was a soul consumed by the Passion of Our Lord. Her deep desire to know the exact number of blows Christ suffered during His Agony led to a series of profound private revelations.
Today, more than 650 years after her death, the prayers of St. Bridget remain a beloved devotion in the Catholic Church. They provide a vivid and structured way to meditate on the Precious Blood and the Holy Wounds of Jesus. Her most profound devotion to Christ’s holy Passion and the Sorrows of Mary remains with us and guides us in our own devotion.
St. Bridget of Sweden was one of the most remarkable mystics and political influencers of the 14th century. Her life provides a model of holiness that touched every state of life: she was a devoted wife, a mother of eight children (including St. Catherine of Sweden), a widow, and eventually the foundress of the Order of the Most Holy Savior (the Bridgettines).
The prayers associated with her were not composed by her as a literary exercise; they were the recorded responses to her intimate conversations with Jesus and Mary.
Her mission was to ensure that the 'Blows of the Passion' and the 'Tears of the Mother' were remembered and venerated by the faithful, and that they be the source of moral renewal for a society in decay, calling both peasants and princes alike to a radical conversion of life and a restoration of the Gospel within the heart of the Church.
The most famous of her revelations, these 15 brief prayers are recited daily for one year. Each prayer focuses on a specific aspect of Christ’s suffering, from the Crown of Thorns to the piercing of His side. Together, they honor the 5,480 blows Christ received during His Passion.
For those seeking a deeper, long-term spiritual discipline, the 12-Year Prayer focuses on the seven times Jesus spilled His Precious Blood for our redemption. This devotion is a profound way to unite your daily life with the life-giving sacrifice of our Lord.
While the Seven Sorrows (or Dolors) of Mary is an ancient devotion, St. Bridget was a primary instrument in its propagation. Our Lady revealed to her that those who pray seven Hail Marys daily while meditating on her tears and sorrows would receive special graces.
The Church views private revelations as aids to piety. The "promises" are expressions of God’s boundless mercy and are intended to encourage the faithful in their perseverance and love for Christ. They should be approached with faith, not as a mechanical formula.
If you miss a day due to an honest oversight, you should not be discouraged. Simply make up the prayers as soon as possible and continue your commitment. The "12-year" or "1-year" timeframe refers to the total volume of prayer offered with a sincere heart.
Yes. Many people find that the Seven Sorrows fits easily into their daily Rosary, while the 15 Prayers or the 12-Year Prayer serves as their primary morning or evening meditation.
No Subscriptions, NoPaywall, 100% Free!
Experience the richness of our Catholic Faith with the free Covenant Network app, now available on your iPhone or Android.
No Subscriptions, NoPaywall, 100% Free!
Experience the richness of our Catholic Faith with the free Covenant Network app, now available on your iPhone or Android.
An initiative of Covenant Network
