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 background of Shoulder Wound of Christ

The Shoulder Wound of Christ prayer is a Catholic devotion that dates back to the medieval period.

It is believed to have originated from a vision of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who saw a wound on Jesus’ shoulder during his crucifixion.

In the vision, Bernard heard Jesus say, “My beloved, behold the wound in my shoulder, which I have sustained for you, and which has ever been bleeding, but you see it not because of the veil of your fleshly nature.”

The prayer became popular in the 18th century after a French priest, Fr. François Fenelon, included it in his book, “Maxims of the Saints.” It gained further popularity in the 19th century, especially among the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

The prayer is typically recited after receiving Holy Communion and is meant to express gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice and to invoke his mercy and help in times of need. It is also thought to be a powerful protection against evil and sin, and a way to unite oneself more fully with Christ’s suffering. Today, it continues to be a cherished part of Catholic devotional life.