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Medieval religious art depicting the many wounds of Christ

St. Bridget of Sweden’s Famous Devotion to the

5480 Wounds of Christ
July 23, 2016 By Gretchen Filz — 45 Comments

St. Bridget of Sweden (also known as Birgitta) was born in Sweden in the 14th century. Her wealthy
parents were devout in their Christian faith, and because of this Bridget was brought up with an
excellent religious education. It is not surprising, then, that St. Bridget would go on to have mystical
experiences during her life.
When she was just a child, St. Bridget received a vision of Christ scourged and hanging on the Cross. In
sorrow, she asked him who had treated him like this.

Christ answered, “They who despise me, and spurn my love for them.” From that time on, the young St.
Bridget had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ.

She went on to marry and have eight children, one of whom was St. Catherine of Sweden. When her
husband died, St. Bridget gave herself totally to the religious life. She founded her own religious order,
the Order of the Most Holy Savior, more commonly known as the Brigittines, to be devoted in a special
way to honor Christ’s Passion.

During this stage of her life St. Bridget’s mystical experiences became more pronounced and frequent,
so much so that they were contained in a work that became very popular in the middle ages, called the
Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden.

Her vibrant visions, which became famous, were often consulted by artists to aid them in their
depiction of scenes from Sacred Scripture.
Out of her special love for Christ’s Passion, which she had since childhood, St. Bridget sincerely wanted
to know how many times the body of Our Lord was struck during the various scenes of his Passion. She
repeatedly prayed about this so that she could honor each one of them.

One day Jesus answered her longing and told her,

“I received 5480 blows upon My Body. If you wish to honor them in some way, recite fifteen Our
Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys with the following Prayers, which I Myself shall teach you, for an
entire year. When the year is finished, you will have honored each of My Wounds.”

Jesus then gave St. Bridget 15 prayers to pray every day for a full year, which she would recite along
with an Our Father and a Hail Mary for each. Totaled up, these prayers would equal 5475 (this could be
understood as all the wounds other than the Five Wounds in his hands, feet, and side, which are more
commonly honored separately).

This became known as the Holy Wounds of Jesus devotion (not to be confused with the Five Wounds of
Jesus Devotion in his hands, feet, and side). It is also called the Fifteen Prayers of St. Bridget, or the
Pieta Prayers, or the Magnificent Prayers.

St. Bridget lived her final years in Rome with her daughter St. Catherine of Sweden, having traveled
there to obtain papal approval for her Order. These 15 prayers were given to her as she was praying
before a crucifix inside the Church of St. Paul in Rome. After her death, her daughter Catherine brought
her body back to Sweden for burial and assumed leadership of the newly approved Order.

This is the medieval crucifix in a chapel inside the Church of St. Paul Outside the
Wall in Rome. It is the same crucifix before which St. Bridget of Sweden prayed
when she received the revelation of the 15 prayers honoring the wound of Jesus.

To commemorate St. Bridget’s vision, an inscription was put at that spot which reads“Pendentis
pendente Dei verba accepit aure accipit et verbum corde Brigitta Deum. Anno Jubilei MCCCL.”
(Translation: “Bridget not only receives the words of God hanging in the air, but takes the word of God
into her heart. Jubilee Year 1350.”)
Read the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden Honoring Christ’s Wounds

This revelation of St. Bridget was permitted for the faithful by Pope Benedict XV who said,“Though
they don’t merit the same credence as the truths of religion, one can, however, believe them out of
human faith, conforming to the rules of prudence by which they are probable, and supported by
sufficient motives that one might believe in them piously.”

These 15 Prayers of St. Bridget are also contained in the immensely popular Pieta Prayer Book and
offer an excellent mediation on the Passion of Christ, especially on Fridays and during the season of
Lent.
This article has been updated and was originally published in July 2015. © The Catholic Company

C A T E GC OA RT IH EO S L : I /CH OD L E Y V OD TA /I YP O A N
/ T SRF OE NA S T D A
S A I N T S

Comments

Tom says
July 27, 2015 at 8:50 am

It would have been very good to have put down the Promises of Christ to all those who say
the 15 prayers of St Bridget everyday for a year, in this article. Having just recently received
the Pieta Prayer Book I have become aware of them. The following are the Promises:
1) I will deliver 15 souls of his lineage from Purgatory.
2) 15 souls of his lineage will be confirmed and preserved in grace.
3) 15 sinners of lineage will be converted.
4) Whoever recites these Prayers will attain the first degree of perfection.
5) 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.
6) 15 days before his death he will feel a deep contrition for all his sins and will have perfect
knowledge of them.
7) I will place before him the sign of My Victorious Cross for his help and defense against the
attacks of his enemies.
8) Before his death I shall come with My Dearest Beloved Mother.
9) I shall graciously receive his soul, and will lead it into eternal joys.
10) And having led it there I shall give him a special draught from the fountain of My
Deity,something I will not for those who have not recited My Prayers.
11) 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.
12) I shall protect him from strong temptations.
13) I shall preserve and guard his 5 senses.
14) I shall preserve him from sudden death.
15) His soul will be delivered from eternal death.
16) He will obtain all he asks for from God and the Blessed Virgin.
17) If he has lived all his life doing his own will and is to die the next day, his life will be
prolonged.
18) Every time one recites these Prayers he gains 100 days indulgence.
19) He is assured of being joined to the supreme Choir of Angels.
20) Whoever teaches these Prayers to another, will have continuous joy and merit which will
endure eternally.
21) There where these Prayers are being said or will be said in the future God is present with
His grace.

Gretchen says
July 27, 2015 at 9:16 am

Hi Tom, thank you for the comment. I did not include the promises in this post out of caution;
in 1954 the Holy Office took exception to them and warned that they cannot be vouched for
as an authentic part of St. Bridget’s revelation (while the prayers themselves are fine and
encouraged).
 Bella says
March 19, 2016 at 6:03 am

Where could I get a copy of this Pieta Prayer Book thru FB… I mean what link?

Gretchen Filz says

March 19, 2016 at 9:40 am

Hi Bella, you can find the Pieta prayer book here:https://www.catholiccompany.com/pieta-

prayer-book-i15307/.

ben says
May 16, 2016 at 10:59 pm

Hi,

is there any website where I can find the litany and novena to st Bridget of Sweden ?

Gretchen Filz says

May 17, 2016 at 9:12 am

Hi Ben, you might be thinking of the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden, which you can find
here: https://www.catholiccompany.com/content/15-prayers-bridget-sweden-wounds-
christ.cfm/. It is found in the Pieta prayer book which you can find here:
https://www.catholiccompany.com/pieta-prayer-book-i15307/. Hope that helps!
 Marie says
July 26, 2016 at 12:39 am

I have tried to do this, but for whatever reason, I cannot finish. My late mother-in-law
introduced me to the prayers years ago after she was able to complete the year of prayers.
RIP, Irene.

Robert Hennessy says

August 18, 2016 at 8:03 pm

Beginning in 1980 I had tried several times to say these prayers but never was able to finish
the whole year. Then in 2011 I was able to start them again and by the Grace of God, have
been praying them daily ever since. It’s not the “promises” that really pulled me in, but rather
the Passion. Now I can’t imagine a day not saying them.

James says
August 21, 2016 at 4:21 am

I am 3rd ORDER FRANCISCAN and Legion of Mary Active from Holy Spirit , Lantana Fl, But
hence AUXILIARY due to work requirements in Villages,Fl..I always carry Piety Prayer Booklet
and received many Graces in my Life.After my ex left me without 6 Children dependent on my
external family l won annulment and married again. My ex filed for divorce and I had to serve
2 years in federal prison for child support. GOD HAS always been good to me though. We all
have a cross to carry. God wants us to be Happy. We have to count blessings when we are
suffering. James
 Petra says
September 16, 2016 at 1:42 pm

I love this. pls does it have a particular time you should say it. the thanks

Sally says
January 20, 2017 at 6:32 pm

Where can I get the 12 year prayers of st.bridget?

Gretchen Filz says

January 23, 2017 at 11:29 am

Hi Sally, you can find the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden Honoring Christ’s Wounds here:
https://www.catholiccompany.com/content/15-prayers-bridget-sweden-wounds-christ.cfm

Toni says
April 10, 2017 at 2:09 pm

I have a blue book that is over 25 years old, and the Our Father and Hail Mary are said at the
beginning of each prayer why is yours said after the prayer?
 Gretchen Filz says
April 11, 2017 at 9:21 am

Hi Toni, you can say the Our Father and Hail Mary as opening or concluding prayers.

Toni says
April 13, 2017 at 1:27 am

In the Pieta and every other source of these

Prayers the Our Father and Hail Mary preceded each prayer. Why did you put them after each
prayer?

Gretchen Filz says

April 13, 2017 at 9:04 am

Hi Toni, you can pray the Our Father and Hail Mary before or after each prayer. The daily
prayers themselves are the essential part, not the exact order in which the daily prayers are
prayed.

Dolores says
May 27, 2017 at 12:57 am

Are there Two St.Bridgets one from sweden and one from Ireland? The cross of St.Bridget is
from Ireland, but the prayers and devotions say St. Bridget of Sweden.
 Gretchen Filz says
May 30, 2017 at 9:32 am

Hi Dolores, yes, there are two saints with similar names: St. Brigid of Ireland and St. Bridget
of Sweden.

Margaret Acosta says

June 9, 2017 at 8:41 pm

I’m confused. When saying “The 12 year prayers of St. Bridget on the passion of Jesus….do I
say 7 Our Fathers and then start saying an Our Father and Hail Mary with the seven passages?

Gretchen Filz says

June 19, 2017 at 10:26 am

Hi Margaret, you can find St. Bridget’s prayer mentioned in this article which explains how to
pray it, here: https://www.catholiccompany.com/content/15-prayers-bridget-sweden-
wounds-christ.cfm.

janis says
July 18, 2017 at 9:16 pm

Hi do i pray the 15 prayer everyday for a whole year or 1 prayer each day for a year?
 Gretchen Filz says
July 19, 2017 at 9:24 am

Hi Janis, it is the 15 prayers every day for a whole year. You can find the prayers here:
https://www.catholiccompany.com/content/15-prayers-bridget-sweden-wounds-christ.cfm.

Lucas says
July 25, 2017 at 9:25 am

Hi what about if you miss some of the days in the year will you receive all the promises?
Thanks

Gretchen Filz says

July 25, 2017 at 9:39 am

Hi Lucas, it is not known for sure, however, as with all prayer, the graces received are more or
less depending on whether our faithfulness is more or less. We should always try our best,
and ask the intercession of the saints to supply for our inevitable weaknesses.

Carmela says
October 20, 2017 at 3:09 am

Thank you ..I had this prayer my cousin gave it to me but I prayed only a month and I had it
for years and now that I’ve read the story of St. Bridget of Swedens.. I remember it and it
happens that I researched how many wounds our Lord Jesus Christ got during the scourging
at the pillar..thanks and God bless you and your family.
 Jon L. Garton says
November 7, 2017 at 8:20 am

I’m reading that a person must say these prayers for a full year to received the declared
graces by Our Lord, yet they are called The 12 Year Prayers of St. Bridget. Can you refer me to
the part about 12 years?

Gretchen Filz says

November 7, 2017 at 3:30 pm

Hi Jon, I’m not sure where you are reading the part about twelve years, this is not included in
this post.

Silvio Angelo says

November 13, 2017 at 7:41 pm

Yes i have recently heard of the other version, the 7 Prayers said that carry the 5 promises, if
said for 12 years.
Are they part of the 15 prayers or different, and are they approved prayers and has the church
rejected this other devotion too ?

Many thanks
 Gretchen Filz says
December 11, 2017 at 4:00 pm

Hi Silvo, I am not familiar with this other devotion you have mentioned, I’m sorry I can’t be of
more help!

Wanda says
December 19, 2017 at 12:58 pm

.
Jesus said clearly very clearly Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my
Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:6​-​7 KJV
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV

Gretchen Filz says

December 21, 2017 at 11:58 am

Hi Wanda, do you refuse to ask others to pray for you, because Jesus is your only mediator?
Of course not. Asking others to pray for you does not negate in any way the fact that Jesus is
our only Savior. In the same way, asking the saints in heaven, who presently behold the face
of Christ, to pray for us on earth is not a denial of the fact that Christ is our mediator with
God.
 Izzy21 says
December 22, 2017 at 12:22 pm

In my Pieta Prayer Book, it says that it is ok to miss a day ( even though you should try not to
) as long as you say 5480 prayers during the year. Is that true?

MaryRose says
December 27, 2017 at 2:16 pm

So beautiful Gretchen. I completely finished my year in 2007 if St Bridget prayers and now my
younger brother has begun. I love this little blue book. I have found it such a blessing. I love
man to begin again soon. Continue your work and May our Heavenly Papa bless you always
with Peace.

Gretchen Filz says

January 9, 2018 at 9:22 am

Hi Izzy, there is no hard and fast rule that determines what to do if you miss a day. If the Pieta
says it, then I would just go with that in good conscience. It seems that with this devotion it is
the number of prayers that is important because this corresponds to something concrete,
rather than being the number of days that is important as it is with a novena.

Diana says
February 26, 2018 at 11:44 am

I succeeded in saying these beautiful prayers in 2007 without missing a day. I have to admit
that the promises were my incentive to not miss a day. I learned only after I had
accomplished the full year that they were not apprroved by any pope.I was very
disappointed of course but I grew to love the prayers and although I only say them
occasionally now , especially during Holy Week, I’m not sorry I did it. I only wish I had prayed
for the sole purpose of honoring our Saviour’s wounds. I now feel that my purpose was
selfish. I hope one day to repeat my efforts entirely to thank Jesus for His passion and
crucifixion.

Sr. Arogya Mary says

March 24, 2018 at 3:07 am

praying any prayers is not to get any favour it is to glorify our Lord. let us take every
opportunity to praise his name. I love to say “Jesus I love you” 5480 times every day . my dear
brothers and sisters let us love our Lord as much as we can because he loves us more than
any thing in the world.

Ed says
March 24, 2018 at 3:17 pm

Gretchen, is this prayer practice much today? I feel many(even priests) are not aware of it? I
think I learned of it from a show on EWTN about St. Bridget of Sweden. I am currently praying
it and love it

Eric B says
April 17, 2018 at 7:07 am

Since 2006, both my wife & I have been attending a one hour Adoration of The Blessed
Sacrament held on each week’s Thursday in our parish church. In the early years our parish
managed this Adoration as a 24 hour devotion, but in recent years decreased it to a 12 hour
devotion. To date though, it still continues. After a few months in 2006, my Mom gave all us
kids blue Pieta Prayer booklets. Mine went with me to Adoration, where I read & learned from
it of these beautiful 15 St Bridget Prayers. I have not said these prayers each day, but instead
once a week during Adoration for past 12 years. To say the least, these prayer’s profound
affect on me has been overwhelming. When I prayerfully connected them to “The True Letter
Of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, an indescribable realm surmount in my soul. I imagined the 83
executioners, at Pilate’s command, taking their turns beating /tormenting Jesus at the
pratoreum. My heart opened to knowing Jesus’ 28,430 precious drops of Blood that He lost
during his passion on Calvary. Then later one Thursday during Adoration, I realized how
Jesus losing every drop of His precious Blood & Water from His side when the soldiers lance
pierced Him during Calvary, was so important. In Old Testament days, a properly slain ram
offering’s smoke would rise to Heaven. Through His passion, Jesus offered to GOD the father
in Heaven, His body’s perfect sacrifice. And in turn, GOD the father accepted Jesus’ offering
as perfect attonement for all of mankinds sins. So Jesus’ sacrifice purchased eternal life for
all of man kinds souls. Today, daily Mass is our faithful continued celebration of Jesus’
perfect sacrificial offering. All Praise & Glory be to God the Father, and to the Son Jesus
Christ, & to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, & ever shall be!

Rowan Williams says

May 27, 2018 at 7:56 am

Hello Gretchen. I’m having trouble finding the English translation of the source of this
revelation. Vols 1-4 of The Revelations of St. Birgitta of Sweden (Oxford University Press) are
all available on Amazon. However, looking at all the individual chapters, I can see that there
are several revelations that speak of the Passion of Christ. Can you, please, help? Which
volume should I purchase to read about the revelation of the 5480 wounds and the
associated prayers?

Perpetua Dsouza says

June 5, 2018 at 4:08 am

15 prayers are here in this link below.

http://www.scborromeo.org/prayers/bridget_sweden.pdf

Ashley Osmera says

June 19, 2018 at 5:18 pm

Hello Rowan! You might find some help in the other comments posted, but I think this is the
book you’re looking for: https://www.catholiccompany.com/revelations-st-bridget-i3170/

Ame says
July 27, 2018 at 11:59 pm

Do you say all prayers at once or throught the day?

Ashley Osmera says

July 30, 2018 at 2:57 pm

Hello Ame – It doesn’t say explicitly so one cannot say for certain, but I would think that you
can spread them throughout the day. It is not the same thing as the rosary for instance,
where it is better to recite all at once in order to make the 15 or 20 minutes of meditation that
is part of the rosary.

Thomas E Fantozzi says

August 26, 2018 at 3:20 pm
 Hi All, I am on my forth year is saying the 15 prayers of St. Bridget daily, along with many
other prayers in the original Pieta Prayer Book. I strongly reconment getting this wonderful
book of prayers, You will find His Peace, and strength to meet the challenges of this agnostic
world.

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Commentary by

Gretchen Filz

Gretchen is a Lay Dominican with a passion for fostering an increase in Catholic faith and
devotion through content writing and journalism. She works as a digital content writer, creator,
and marketer for The Catholic Company. In addition to blogging at GetFed.com, she is also editor
of the MorningOffering.com daily devotional email and author at GoodCatholic.com. She holds
an M.A. in Christian Apologetics and converted to the Catholic Church in 2011. She is also active in
R.C.I.A., pro-life work, and various faith-based web projects.

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