Do you want to grow closer to Jesus and meditate on His love for you? Do you want to receive special graces and blessings from Him? Do you want to honor His precious blood that He shed for your salvation?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to learn about the 12 Years Prayer to Saint Bridget, a powerful devotion that will enrich your spiritual life and bring you closer to the heart of Jesus.
History of the Prayer
The devotion is said to have been given to Saint Bridget of Sweden by the Virgin Mary herself. According to the story, Mary told Saint Bridget that if she recited the prayers for 12 years, she would be granted any three graces she asked for.
How to Pray the Prayer
The 12-year prayer can be prayed in any way that is comfortable for you. However, there are some tips that may help you get the most out of the devotion:
- Find a quiet place where you can pray without distractions.
- Set aside some time each day to pray the prayers.
- Be sincere and devout in your prayers.
- Trust in God’s mercy and love.
Who was Saint Bridget of Sweden?
Saint Bridget of Sweden was a 14th century mystic, visionary, and founder of the Bridgettine Order. She was a devoted wife and mother of eight children, who later became a widow and a pilgrim. She had a deep love for Jesus and His Passion, and she received many revelations from Him about His sufferings and His mercy.
One of the most famous revelations that she received was the seven prayers that honor the seven times that Jesus shed His blood for us, from His circumcision to His crucifixion. Jesus told her that whoever prays these prayers daily for 12 years, with devotion and contrition, will receive five graces that are beyond our imagination.
What are the seven prayers?
The seven prayers are short and simple, but they are full of meaning and power. They are based on the scriptural events that describe the shedding of Jesus’ blood, and they express our gratitude, sorrow, and love for Him. Each prayer is accompanied by an image that helps us visualize the mystery that we are contemplating.
Here are the seven prayers and their corresponding images:
1. The Circumcision of Jesus Prayer
O Jesus, You have said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Behold, I knock, I seek, and I ask for the grace of… (mention your intention).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
O my Jesus, who for the love of me didst endure Thy most painful circumcision in Thy delicate flesh, grant me the grace of overcoming all my evil passions. Amen.
[The Circumcision of Jesus]
The first prayer honors the first shedding of blood by Jesus, which happened when He was eight days old. He was circumcised according to the Jewish law, as a sign of His obedience to the Father and His belonging to His chosen people. He also received the name Jesus, which means “God saves”. By this prayer, we ask Jesus to help us overcome our sinful tendencies and to save us from our enemies. (Luke 2:21)
2. The Agony in the Garden Prayer
O Jesus, You have said, “All that you ask of the Father in My name He will grant you.” Behold, in Your name I ask the Father for the grace of… (mention your intention).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
O my Jesus, who for the love of me didst sweat blood in Thy agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, grant me the grace of fearing Thee only, and loving Thee perfectly. Amen.
[The Agony in the Garden]
The second prayer honors the second shedding of blood by Jesus, which happened on the night before His passion. He prayed in agony in the garden of Gethsemane, while His disciples slept. He saw all the sins and sufferings of humanity, and He accepted the will of His Father to die for us. He sweated blood as a sign of His intense sorrow and love. By this prayer, we ask Jesus to help us fear Him only as our Lord and Judge and to love Him perfectly as our Savior and Friend. (Matthew 26:36-46)
3. The Scourging at the Pillar Prayer
O Jesus, You have said, “Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in My name, He will give it to you.” Behold, in Your name I ask the Father for the grace of… (mention your intention).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
O my Jesus, who for the love of me didst endure so many insults and such cruel scourging that Thy body was all covered with wounds, grant me the grace of being most patient in suffering. Amen.
[The Scourging at the Pillar]
The third prayer honors the third shedding of blood by Jesus, which happened after He was condemned by Pilate. He was stripped of His garments and tied to a pillar, where He was whipped mercilessly by the Roman soldiers. His flesh was torn and His blood flowed abundantly, as He bore the punishment for our sins. By this prayer, we ask Jesus to help us be patient in suffering, and to offer our pains in union with His. (Matthew 27:26)
4. The Crowning with Thorns Prayer
O Jesus, You have said, “Truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” Behold, in Your name I ask the Father for the grace of… (mention your intention).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
O my Jesus, who for the love of me didst endure a painful crowning with thorns, piercing Thy most holy head, grant me the grace of always thinking of Thee and of Thy kingdom. Amen.
[The Crowning with Thorns]
The fourth prayer honors the fourth shedding of blood by Jesus, which happened after He was scourged. He was clothed with a purple robe and a crown of thorns, which pierced His head and caused Him immense pain. He was mocked and spat upon by the soldiers, who hailed Him as the King of the Jews. He accepted this humiliation for our sake, to atone for our pride and vanity. By this prayer, we ask Jesus to help us think of Him and His kingdom and to seek His glory above all. (Matthew 27:27-31)
5. The Carrying of the Cross Prayer
O Jesus, You have said, “Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.” Behold, I ask for the grace of… (mention your intention).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
O my Jesus, who for the love of me didst carry Thy heavy cross to Calvary, bearing its weight with such patience and strength, grant me the grace of following Thee in Thy holy way of the cross. Amen.
[The Carrying of the Cross]
The fifth prayer honors the fifth shedding of blood by Jesus, which happened on His way to Calvary. He was forced to carry His own cross, which was heavy and rough. He fell three times under its weight, and He was helped by Simon of Cyrene. He also met His sorrowful mother, Mary, and some women who wept for Him. He endured this torture for our sake, to show us the way to heaven. By this prayer, we ask Jesus to help us follow Him in His holy way of the cross, and to bear our crosses with love and courage. (Luke 23:26-32)
6. The Crucifixion Prayer
O Jesus, You have said, “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.” Behold, I cling to Your words with all my heart, and I ask for the grace of… (mention your intention).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
O my Jesus, who for the love of me didst endure the most cruel death on the cross, shedding Thy last drops of blood from Thy sacred wounds, grant me the grace of dying in Thy holy arms. Amen.
[The Crucifixion]
The sixth prayer honors the sixth shedding of blood by Jesus, which happened on the cross. He was nailed to the wood by His hands and feet, and He hung there for three hours in agony. He spoke seven words from the cross, expressing His forgiveness, mercy, thirst, abandonment, fulfillment, trust, and love. He gave up His spirit and bowed His head, completing His sacrifice for our salvation. By this prayer, we ask Jesus to help us die in His holy arms, trusting in His promises and surrendering to His will. (John 19:17-30)
7. The Piercing of His Side Prayer
O Jesus, You have said, “Truly I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” Behold, I long to do for You whatever You will, and I ask for the grace of… (mention your intention).
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
O my Jesus, who for the love of me didst allow Thy most sacred heart to be pierced by a lance after Thy death on the cross, pouring out blood and water as a fountain of mercy for us sinners, grant me the grace of loving Thee with all my heart. Amen.
[The Piercing of His Side]
The seventh prayer honors the seventh shedding of blood by Jesus, which happened after His death on the cross. He was pierced by a lance in His side by a soldier, and from His wound flowed blood and water. This was a sign of His love and mercy for us sinners, and a symbol of the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist. By this prayer, we ask Jesus to help us love Him with all our heart, and to receive His grace through the sacraments. (John 19:31-37)
Benefits of the Prayer
The 12-year prayer is said to be a very powerful devotion. Those who have undertaken the devotion have reported experiencing a variety of blessings, including physical healing, spiritual growth, and an increase in faith.
Challenges of the Prayer
The 12-year prayer is a challenging devotion, but it is also said to be very rewarding. If you are considering undertaking the devotion, it is important to be aware of the commitment involved. You will need to be willing to pray the prayers regularly for 12 years, even when it is difficult. You should also be prepared for the possibility that you may not receive the graces you ask for. However, if you are willing to make the commitment, the 12-year prayer can be a powerful way to grow in your faith and experience the love of God.
Conclusion
The 12 years prayer to Saint Bridget is a powerful devotion that can help you grow in your faith and experience the love of God. If you are willing to make the commitment, it can be a life-changing experience.
