Shoulder Wound of Christ

O Loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross, which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the Way of Thy Cross. Amen.

Imprimatur: Thomas D. Beven, Bishop of Springfield

It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard asked our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering, and Our Lord answered: “I had on My Shoulder, while I bore My Cross on the Way of Sorrows, a grievous Wound, which was more painful than the others, and which is not recorded by men. Honor this wound with thy devotion, and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through its virtue and merit. And in regard to all those who shall venerate this Wound, I will remit to them all their venial sins, and will no longer remember their mortal sins.”

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The emergence of Shoulder Wound of Christ

The Shoulder Wound of Christ is a Catholic devotion that focuses on the physical wound that Jesus is believed to have suffered on his left shoulder during his crucifixion.

The devotion began to gain popularity in the 17th century, after the publication of the visions experienced by a Belgian nun, Sister Mary Martha Chambon. Chambon claimed to have received messages from Jesus encouraging her to promote devotion to the Shoulder Wound.

The prayer associated with the devotion typically begins with the recitation of the Apostles’ Creed, followed by an invocation to the Holy Spirit, and then several petitions and praises to Jesus Christ in honor of his sufferings on the cross.

The prayer is often said in conjunction with the wearing of a special medal or scapular that depicts the Shoulder Wound or an image of the crucifixion.

The devotion has had a lasting impact on Catholic spirituality and is still practiced by many believers today. It serves as a reminder of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and encourages believers to contemplate his sufferings and the gift of salvation he gave to humanity.