15 Prayers of St. Bridget: History, Meaning and How to Pray Them
Quick answer
The 15 Prayers of St. Bridget, known in the Middle Ages as the Fifteen O's, are meditations on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Catholics may pray them freely. In 1954, however, the Holy Office warned that the supernatural origin of the promises attached to them is uncertain, and it told bishops not to allow pamphlets containing those promises to be printed.
Key takeaways
- The 15 Prayers are a medieval devotion that walks through the Passion of Christ, from the Last Supper to His death on the Cross.
- They are called the Fifteen O's because each prayer opens by calling on Jesus with the word "O".
- They are traditionally linked to St. Bridget of Sweden, but historians question whether she wrote them.
- On January 28, 1954, the Holy Office said the origin of the promises attached to the prayers is uncertain and told bishops not to permit their publication.
- That warning concerned the promises. A Catholic can pray meditations on the Passion with confidence, trusting in God's mercy and the sacraments and not in a guaranteed reward.
The 15 Prayers of St. Bridget are a set of meditations on the suffering of Our Lord, prayed slowly, one wound and one sorrow at a time. For more than five hundred years Catholics have used them to stay close to Jesus on His way to the Cross.
They are also surrounded by some confusion. Many booklets attach dramatic promises to them. This page explains what the prayers are, what the Church actually said, and how to pray them with a peaceful heart.
What Are the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget?
The prayers go back to the late Middle Ages, when they appeared in English and European prayer books. They became known as the Fifteen O’s because each one begins by calling on Jesus with the word “O”: O Jesus, O King, O Lord.
Together they move through the whole Passion: the Last Supper, the agony in the garden, the arrest, the scourging, the nails, the seven last words, and Our Lord’s death. The Catechism says that Christian prayer “loves to follow the way of the cross in the Savior’s steps” (CCC 2669), and these prayers do exactly that.
Did St. Bridget Write Them?
St. Bridget of Sweden (1303–1373) had a deep devotion to the Passion, and her name became attached to these prayers. Historians have questioned whether she actually wrote them. They may have come from another devout author and then been linked with her because of her reputation.
This does not make the prayers less worthwhile. Their value comes from where they lead us, which is to Christ crucified.
What the Church Said About the Promises
Modern booklets often say that anyone who prays these prayers for a year, or for twelve years, will receive extraordinary rewards, such as freeing relatives from Purgatory or being certain of salvation.
On January 28, 1954, the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office addressed this directly. It said that the promises claimed to have been made to St. Bridget are of uncertain supernatural origin, and it told local bishops not to give permission for pamphlets containing them to be published or reprinted.
So how should a Catholic think about this?
- Pray the prayers freely. The warning was about the promises and the pamphlets that carried them.
- Do not count on the promises. No prayer works like a contract. Our hope rests on the mercy of God, shown on the Cross (CCC 616).
- Stay close to the sacraments. Confession, the Eucharist and a life of charity are the ordinary paths God has given us.
- Remember what private revelation is. Even approved private revelations do not add to the faith. Their role is to help us live it more fully in a certain period of history (CCC 67).
How to Pray the 15 Prayers
Find a quiet place, and if you can, sit before a crucifix or the Blessed Sacrament. Before each prayer, say one Our Father and one Hail Mary. Then read the prayer slowly and stay with it for a moment.
You do not need to finish all fifteen at one sitting. You could pray one each day, or three each Friday in Lent.
The 15 Prayers in Short Form
The traditional long texts are found in many printed prayer books. The short forms below are written for this page and follow the theme of each traditional prayer, so that you can pray through all fifteen in about ten minutes.
1. The Last Supper and the Beginning of the Passion (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, joy of all who love You, You washed Your disciples’ feet and gave them Your Body and Blood, knowing the sorrow that lay ahead. Before I die, grant me true contrition, a good confession and the forgiveness of all my sins. Amen.
2. The Insults and Mockery (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, true freedom of the angels, remember how Your enemies surrounded You, how they struck You and spat upon You. Deliver me from all my enemies, seen and unseen, and shelter me under Your protection. Amen.
3. The Nails (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, Creator of the world, whom no measure can contain, remember the pain when Your hands and feet were pierced. Grant me a holy fear of sin and a true love of You. Amen.
4. Forgiveness from the Cross (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, Heavenly Physician, lifted high upon the Cross, You prayed for those who were killing You: “Father, forgive them.” Teach me to forgive as You forgave, and heal the wounds of my soul. Amen.
5. Mercy for the Good Thief (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, mirror of eternal splendor, You promised Paradise to a dying thief. Show that same mercy to me at the hour of my death, and remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. Amen.
6. Mary and John at the Cross (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, beloved King, You looked down and saw Your Mother in her grief, and You gave her to the beloved disciple. Mother of Sorrows, stay by me in every trial, and bring me to your Son. Amen.
7. “I Thirst” (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, inexhaustible fountain of mercy, You cried out in thirst upon the Cross. Kindle in me a thirst for holiness, and quench in me every disordered desire. Amen.
8. The Gall and Vinegar (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, sweetness of every heart, You tasted gall and vinegar for love of me. Grant that I may receive You worthily in Holy Communion, as a remedy and a comfort for my soul. Amen.
9. “My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, royal strength and joy of the mind, You cried out in the darkness of Your suffering. When I feel alone, stay with me. Do not abandon me in the hour of my death. Amen.
10. Wounded from Head to Foot (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, Alpha and Omega, from the crown of Your head to the soles of Your feet there was no part of You left unhurt. Teach me to keep Your commandments with love, and make my whole life Yours. Amen.
11. Hide Me in Your Wounds (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, depth of mercy, hide me within Your wounds. Shelter me from the anger I have earned by my sins, until the storm has passed. Amen.
12. The Precious Blood (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, mirror of truth and pledge of unity, You were covered with wounds and with Your own Blood. Write those wounds on my heart, so that I may always read in them Your love. Amen.
13. “It Is Finished” (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, strong Lion and immortal King, You finished the work the Father gave You. When my last hour comes and my soul is troubled, have mercy on me and strengthen me. Amen.
14. “Into Your Hands” (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, only Son of the Father, You commended Your spirit into His hands. Help me to die to the world and live for God, and receive my soul at the end of my journey. Amen.
15. The Blood and Water (Original Prayer)
O Jesus, true and fruitful Vine, from Your pierced side flowed Blood and Water, poured out like wine from the press. By Your bitter Passion, receive my soul when I am dying. Amen.
Closing Prayer (Original Prayer)
O sweet Jesus, pierce my heart with sorrow for my sins. Make my heart Your home. May the end of my life be pleasing to You, so that I may praise You forever with all Your saints. Amen.
Keep Walking with Christ
If these meditations have helped you, you may also want to pray the 14 Stations of the Cross, or the Sorrowful Mysteries in the Rosary for today. You can also read about the Revelations of St. Bridget and how the Church regards them.
Frequently asked questions
Are the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget approved by the Church?
The prayers are a long-standing devotion, and meditating on the Passion is warmly encouraged by the Church. The specific promises printed with them are another matter. In 1954 the Holy Office said their supernatural origin is uncertain and told bishops not to permit the printing of pamphlets containing them.
How long does it take to pray the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget?
Prayed slowly in their traditional long form, with an Our Father and a Hail Mary before each one, they usually take about 20 to 30 minutes. The short forms on this page take around ten.
Do I have to pray the 15 Prayers every day for a year?
No. Popular booklets propose a full year of daily prayer, but no Catholic is obliged to do this. Missing a day is not a sin, and it does not cancel anything. You can pray them during Lent, on Fridays, or whenever you wish to meditate on the Passion.
Did Jesus really tell St. Bridget He received 5,480 blows?
That story circulates with the booklets, and it cannot be verified. The Church has never taught a set number of blows or wounds. What we know with certainty is what the Gospels tell us, and it is enough to move any heart.
Did St. Bridget write the Fifteen O's?
Nobody can say for certain. The prayers were widely copied in late medieval prayer books and were often connected with her name, but historians have questioned whether she was the author.
Sources
- Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, Warning Concerning the Promises of St. Bridget (January 28, 1954)
- Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience on St. Bridget of Sweden (October 27, 2010)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 67, 616, 2669
- Matthew 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 18-19
