This Catholic prayer is written to help you pray with the Church. The 15 Prayers of St Bridget of Sweden are among the most beloved and enduring devotions in Catholic tradition. Rooted in a series of revelations granted to St Bridget during her time in Rome, these prayers move through the Passion of Jesus Christ with remarkable intimacy. Each one pauses at a different moment of suffering, a different wound, a different shedding of blood, and invites the one praying to enter that sacred mystery in faith and love.
St Bridget of Sweden, born in 1303, was a wife, mother, mystic, and foundress of the Bridgettine Order. She spent years in Rome after the death of her husband, devoting herself entirely to prayer, penance, and service to the poor. During this period she received visions of Christ’s Passion that formed the basis of these prayers. The Church has long honoured her as a patron saint of Europe, and her spiritual writings remain a rich resource for Catholics who desire a deeper prayer life. If you want to explore more about accessing her written devotions, the 12 Year Prayer of St Bridget PDF is a helpful companion to what you will find here.
These prayers are not a quick devotion. They are meant to be prayed slowly, one at a time, allowing the weight and tenderness of the Passion to settle into your heart. Many Catholics pray one prayer each day across fifteen days, or they pray all fifteen together during Holy Week. However you choose to approach them, come with an open and humble spirit.
15 Prayers of St Bridget
Scripture Focus
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5, NKJV)
These words from the prophet Isaiah hang over every one of St Bridget’s prayers like a canopy of grace. The 15 Prayers do not simply recall what Jesus suffered. They draw the faithful into a living encounter with the One who endured that suffering out of love. As you pray each prayer, remember that every wound these words name was borne for you.
The prayers below are presented in their traditional form, faithful to the text as it has been handed down through the centuries. Read them carefully. Pray them slowly.
1. The First Prayer of St Bridget
The first prayer opens this devotion by addressing Our Lord directly in the agony of His suffering. It meditates on the blood He shed and the love that compelled Him to endure it. Catholics traditionally pray this at the beginning of the devotion, asking for the grace to receive all that follows with a contrite and believing heart.
O Jesus Christ! Eternal Sweetness to those who love Thee, joy surpassing all joy and all desire, Salvation and Hope of all sinners, Who hast proved that Thou hast no greater desire than to be among men, even assuming human nature at the fullness of time for the love of men, recall all the sufferings Thou hast endured from the instant of Thy conception, and especially during Thy Passion, as it was decreed and ordained from all eternity in the Divine plan.
Remember, O Lord, Thy disciples’ sadness and the tears of Thy most holy Mother when Thou didst take leave of Her going to Thy Passion. Remember the anguish Thou didst suffer when Thou wast betrayed into the hands of Thine enemies, and didst fall in weakness to the ground. Remember the grief Thou didst feel at the loss of Thy disciples who forsook Thee and fled, leaving Thee in the hands of those who hated Thee. Remember the fear, the anguish, and the pain that Thou didst suffer when the hands of Thine enemies violently seized Thee. Remember too the torments of that night and all Thy sufferings throughout it, for all of which I am unable to make sufficient reparation.
In memory of all these sufferings and pains, grant me before my death, true contrition, a sincere and complete confession, worthy satisfaction, and the remission of all my sins. Amen.
2. The Second Prayer of St Bridget
The second prayer turns to the suffering of Christ’s face during His Passion, particularly the humiliations He endured at the hands of those who mocked and struck Him. It is a prayer of compassion and reparation, inviting the faithful to unite their own sorrows with His.
O Jesus! True liberty of the Angels, Paradise of delights, remember the horror and sadness which Thou didst endure when Thine enemies, like furious lions, surrounded Thee, and by a thousand insults, spits, blows, lacerations, and other unheard-of cruelties, tormented Thee at will.
In memory of all these pains and insults, I beseech Thee, O my Jesus, to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and to bring me, under Thy protection, to the perfection of eternal salvation. Amen.
3. The Third Prayer of St Bridget
The third prayer meditates on Christ bound at the pillar and scourged. It is a deeply penitential prayer, recognising that the wounds He received were endured in place of the punishment our sins deserved. Many Catholics find this prayer particularly moving during Lent and Holy Week.
O Jesus! Creator of Heaven and earth, Whom nothing can encompass or limit, Thou Who dost enfold and hold all under Thy loving power, remember the very bitter pain Thou didst suffer when the Jews nailed Thy sacred hands and feet to the Cross by blow after blow with big and blunt nails, and not finding Thee in a pitiable enough state to satisfy their rage, they enlarged Thy wounds, and added new pains to new pains.
In memory of this suffering, I implore Thee, O my Saviour, to cast from Thee my sins by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, and to receive me into the ark of Thy mercy in the hour of my death. Amen.
4. The Fourth Prayer of St Bridget
The fourth prayer contemplates Christ hanging on the Cross, stretched out in pain, every limb bearing the weight of our redemption. It is a prayer that lingers in the depth of His physical agony and draws out of it an act of trust and petition for mercy.
O Jesus! Heavenly Physician, raised aloft on the Cross to heal our wounds with Thine, remember the bruises which Thou didst suffer and the weakness of all Thy members which were distended to such a degree that never was there pain like unto Thine.
From the crown of Thy head to the sole of Thy Feet there was not one 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 Thine enemies saying: “Father, forgive them, for 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.
5. The Fifth Prayer of St Bridget
The fifth prayer focuses on the grief and desolation Christ experienced on the Cross, particularly His cry of abandonment. It touches on one of the deepest mysteries of the Passion and offers it to God as a source of consolation for souls who feel forsaken. This prayer has brought comfort to many who carry a deep interior suffering of their own. For those looking to build a consistent daily prayer life, returning to this prayer regularly can become a powerful anchor in times of spiritual darkness.
O Jesus! Mirror of eternal splendor, remember the sadness which Thou didst experience, when contemplating in 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, and Thou didst complain bitterly of those hopeless lost and unfortunate sinners.
In memory of this anguish, I beg of Thee, O my Saviour, to let me not be numbered among the reprobate, but rather take me and number me among Thine Elect. Amen.
6. The Sixth Prayer of St Bridget
The sixth prayer meditates on the wounds in Our Lord’s hands and the blood that poured from them. It is a prayer of adoration and reparation, recognising that each drop of blood was shed as an act of infinite love. Catholics often pray this in a spirit of thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Calvary.
O Jesus! Beloved and most desirable King, remember the grief Thou didst suffer, when naked and like a common criminal, Thou wast fastened and raised on the Cross, when all Thy relatives and friends abandoned Thee, and Thy disciples forsook Thee except for Thy beloved disciple John, the holy women, and Thy dear Mother.
In memory of this abandonment, I implore Thee not to abandon me in the terror and anguish of my last moments. Amen.
7. The Seventh Prayer of St Bridget
The seventh prayer addresses the thirst Christ suffered on the Cross, both physical and spiritual. He thirsted for the salvation of souls, and this prayer enters into that longing with Him. It is a moment of union between the soul praying and the Heart of the Saviour.
O Jesus! Inexhaustible Fountain of compassion, Who by a profound gesture of love said from the Cross: “I thirst!” suffered from the thirst for the salvation of the human race, I implore Thee, O my Saviour, to inflame in our hearts the desire to tend toward perfection in all our acts, and to extinguish in us the concupiscence of the flesh and the ardor of worldly desires. Amen.
8. The Eighth Prayer of St Bridget
The eighth prayer contemplates the bitter gall offered to Christ in His thirst, and the rejection He received even in His dying moments. It is a prayer that asks for perseverance in the face of bitterness in one’s own life, trusting that Christ has already endured it before us.
O Jesus! Sweetness of hearts, delight of the spirit, by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which Thou didst taste on the Cross for love of us, grant us the grace to receive worthily Thy Precious Body and Blood during our life and at the hour of our death, that they may serve as a remedy and consolation for our souls. Amen.
9. The Ninth Prayer of St Bridget
The ninth prayer meditates on the moment of Christ’s death, when He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. It is one of the most solemn moments in the entire devotion, a prayer that stands at the foot of the Cross in silence and awe. Praying this well requires stillness.
O Jesus! Royal virtue, joy of the mind, recall the pain Thou didst endure when, plunged in an ocean of bitterness at the approach of death, insulted, outraged by the Jews, Thou didst cry out in a loud voice that God, Thy Father, had forsaken Thee; that Thou wast abandoned to the sword, to the dogs, to the power of the lions and to the malice of the bulls.
In memory of this anguish, I implore Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, not to abandon me in the terrors and pains of my death. Amen.
10. The Tenth Prayer of St Bridget
The tenth prayer turns to the moment when Christ’s side was pierced by the lance, and from that wound flowed blood and water, which the Church has long understood as a sign of the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. This prayer is one of adoration for the Sacred Heart. For those who also observe the liturgical seasons with intentional prayer, Christmas devotional prayers offer another way to encounter Christ’s presence throughout the Church’s year.
O Jesus! Who art the beginning and end of all things, life and virtue, remember that for our sakes Thou wast plunged in an abyss of suffering from the sole of Thy foot to the crown of Thy head. In consideration of the enormity of Thy wounds, teach me to keep, out of true love, Thy commandments, whose way is wide and easy for those who love Thee. Amen.
11. The Eleventh Prayer of St Bridget
The eleventh prayer meditates on the deep wounds in Christ’s hands and feet caused by the nails of the Cross. It is a prayer of reparation for sin and a petition for healing, both physical and spiritual. St Bridget herself was known to pray these prayers with great devotion before an image of the crucified Christ.
O Jesus! Deep abyss of mercy, I implore Thee, in memory of Thy wounds which penetrated to the very marrow of Thy bones and to the depth of Thy being, to draw me, a miserable sinner, overwhelmed by my offenses, away from sin and to hide me from Thy face justly irritated against me, hide me in Thy wounds until Thy anger and just indignation shall have passed away.
Amen.
12. The Twelfth Prayer of St Bridget
The twelfth prayer meditates on the descent from the Cross and the grief of Our Lady as she received the body of her Son. It is one of the most tender prayers in the collection, and it invites the faithful to stand with Mary in her sorrow, offering that compassion back to God as an act of love.
O Jesus! Mirror of Truth, symbol of unity, link of Charity, remember the multitude of wounds with which Thou wast covered from head to foot, torn and reddened by the spilling of Thy adorable Blood. O great and universal pain which Thou didst suffer in Thy virginal flesh for love of us!
Sweetest Jesus! What is there that Thou couldst have done for us which Thou hast not done? May the fruit of Thy sufferings be renewed in my soul by the faithful remembrance of Thy Passion, and may Thy love increase in my heart each day, until I see Thee in eternity, Thou Who art the treasury of every real good and every joy, which I beg Thee to grant me, O sweetest Jesus, in Heaven. Amen.
13. The Thirteenth Prayer of St Bridget
The thirteenth prayer is a prayer of intercession for the dying and for all souls in their final hour. St Bridget received a promise, according to the tradition associated with these prayers, that whoever prayed them faithfully would be aided at the hour of death. This prayer carries that intention with deep solemnity and trust in God’s mercy. The scripture declares, For I am persuaded that neither death nor life… shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38–39, NKJV), and this prayer stands on that promise.
O Jesus! Strong Lion, Immortal and Invincible King, remember the pain which Thou didst endure when all Thy strength, both moral and physical, was entirely exhausted, Thou didst bow Thy head, saying: “It is consummated!”
In memory of this anguish and grief, I implore Thee, Lord Jesus, to have mercy on me in my last hour, when my mind will be greatly troubled and my soul will be in anguish. Amen.
14. The Fourteenth Prayer of St Bridget
The fourteenth prayer meditates on the burial of Christ and the silence of Holy Saturday. It is a quiet, waiting prayer, holding the space between death and resurrection with faith. For those who use resources to enrich their prayer life, free prayer apps can be a practical companion for praying these devotions consistently each day.
O Jesus! Only Son of the Father, Splendor and figure of His substance, remember the simple and humble recommendation Thou didst make of Thy soul to Thy Eternal Father, saying: “Into Thy hands I commend my spirit!” and with Thy Body all torn, and Thy Heart broken, and the bowels of Thy mercy open to redeem us, Thou didst expire.
In memory of this precious death, I implore Thee, O King of Saints, comfort me and help me to resist the devil, the flesh, and the world, so that being dead to the world I may live only for Thee. I implore Thee at the hour of my death to receive me, a pilgrim and an exile returning to Thee. Amen.
15. The Fifteenth Prayer of St Bridget
The fifteenth and final prayer completes the devotion with a vision of the Resurrection and the glory of Christ that followed His Passion. It brings the soul from the foot of the Cross into the light of Easter, ending the devotion in hope and praise. This prayer is the fitting crown of all that has come before it.
O Jesus! True and fruitful Vine! Remember the abundant outpouring of blood which Thou didst so generously shed from Thy sacred Body as juice from grapes in a wine press.
From Thy right 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 top of the Cross, Thy delicate flesh was destroyed, the very substance of Thy Body withered, and the marrow of Thy bones dried up.
Through this bitter Passion and through the outpouring of Thy Precious Blood, I beg Thee, O Sweetest Jesus, to receive my soul when I am in my death agony. Amen.
Closing Encouragement
These fifteen prayers are not simply ancient words. They are a road that has been walked by saints, by ordinary mothers and fathers, by people carrying grief and illness and longing, by anyone who has ever come to the foot of the Cross and simply stayed there. When you pray them, you are not alone. You are praying with the whole Church, across time, in communion with St Bridget herself and with every soul who has carried these words as a gift.
Take your time with them. Return to them when you are struggling and when you are grateful. Let them teach you how to suffer with Christ and how to hope in Him. The Passion is not only something that happened in history. It is something that speaks into this very moment of your life, with tenderness, with mercy, and with the assurance of love that has already proven it will stop at nothing for you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Every new Catholic prayer, in your inbox
Novenas, saints’ prayers, devotions, we’ll send you each new one we publish. No daily emails, unsubscribe anytime.
Want to go deeper or get more support? Create a free account to chat with Haven — your personal companion for guidance, resources, and whatever is on your heart.
Did this prayer speak to you?
Then don’t leave it here. Turn 15 Prayers of St Bridget into a 21-day prayer journey, and let the Holy Spirit draw out the depths and mysteries within it — a Scripture to pray aloud each day, prayers drawn from this very prayer, and space to write what He reveals. Printable, editable, or an online journey that saves your progress.
Pray with us every morning.
A scripture-fused prayer in your inbox at 5:00 AM, every day. Free.
