De fonte textus Latini

Textus Latinus hic redditur secundum recensionem precum vulgo notarum ut Quindecim Orationes Sanctae Birgittae, prout in Paradisus animae christianae Iacobi Merlo Horstii, Coloniae, 1670, servatur. Haec ipsa recensio, in libris precum ante Concilium Vaticanum II late divulgata, pro columna Latina huius paginae adhibita est.

On the source of the English text

The English text is a faithful translation of the Latin text, according to the recension preserved in Paradisus animae christianae by Jacob Merlo Horst, Cologne, 1670. The older English devotional recension transmitted under the title The Secret of Happiness has been used only where its wording remains fully consistent with the sense and scope of the Latin text.

Oratio Prima

O Iesu Christe, aeterna dulcedo te amantium, iubilus excedens omne gaudium et omne desiderium, salus et amator peccatorum, qui delicias tuas testatus es esse cum filiis hominum, propter hominem homo factus es in fine temporum. Memento omnis praemeditationis et intimi moeroris quem in humano corpore sustinuisti instante saluberrimae Passionis tuae tempore in divino Corde praeordinato.

Memento tristitiae et amaritudinis, quam in anima, teipso testante, habuisti, quando in ultima cena Discipulis tuis Corpus et Sanguinem tuum tradidisti, pedes eorum lavisti, ac dulciter eos consolando, imminentem Passionem praedixisti.

Memento omnis tremoris, angustiae, et doloris, quem in tuo delicato corpore ante Passionem crucis tuae pertulisti, quando post trinam orationem et Sanguinem sudorem a Iuda tuo discipulo tradebaris, ab electa gente capiebaris, a falsis testibus accusabaris, a tribus iudicibus iniuste iudicabaris, in electa civitate, in Paschali tempore, in florida corporis iuventute innocenter damnabaris, veste propria exuebaris, et vestibus alienis induebaris, colaphizabaris, oculis et facie velabaris, alapis caedebaris, ad columnam ligabaris, flagellabaris, spinis coronabaris, arundine in capite feriebaris et innumerabilibus aliis calumniis lacerabaris.

Da Domine Deus mihi, quaeso, ob memoriam harum ante crucem tuam Passionum veram ante mortem meam Contritionem, puram Confessionem, dignam satisfactionem, ac omnium peccatorum remissionem. Amen.

First Prayer

O Jesus Christ, eternal sweetness of those who love Thee, joy surpassing every joy and every desire, salvation and lover of sinners, Thou Who hast testified that Thy delights are to be with the children of men, and Who for man didst become man at the end of times. Remember all the forethought and inward sorrow which Thou didst endure in human flesh, when the time of Thy most saving Passion, foreordained in Thy divine Heart, drew near.

Remember the sadness and bitterness which Thou hadst in Thy soul, as Thou Thyself didst testify, when at the Last Supper Thou didst give Thy Body and Thy Blood to Thy disciples, didst wash their feet, and, sweetly consoling them, didst foretell Thy approaching Passion.

Remember all the trembling, anguish, and pain which Thou didst bear in Thy delicate Body before the Passion of Thy cross, when, after the threefold prayer and the sweat of Blood, Thou wast betrayed by Judas Thy disciple, seized by the chosen nation, accused by false witnesses, unjustly judged by three judges, in the chosen city, in the Paschal season, in the flower of Thy bodily youth, innocently condemned, stripped of Thy own garment and clothed in strange garments, buffeted, with eyes and face veiled, struck with blows, bound to the pillar, scourged, crowned with thorns, struck upon the head with a reed, and torn by innumerable other insults.

Grant me, O Lord God, I beseech Thee, through the memory of these sufferings endured before Thy cross, true contrition before my death, pure confession, worthy satisfaction, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

Oratio Secunda

O Iesu, mundi fabricator, quem nulla dimensio vero in termino metitur, qui terram palmo concludis, recordare amarissimi doloris tui quem sustinebas cum Iudaei sanctissimas manus tuas ad crucem obtusis clavis primo afflixerunt, et ad perforandum delicatissimos pedes tuos, cum non esses conveniens voluntati eorum, dolorem super dolorem vulneribus tuis addiderunt, et sic te crudeliter distraxerunt et extenderunt in longum et latum crucis tuae, ut dissolverentur compages membrorum tuorum.

Deprecor te per huiusmodi sacratissimi et amarissimi in cruce doloris memoriam ut des mihi timorem et amorem tuum. Amen.

Second Prayer

O Jesus, Maker of the world, whom no measure can measure within a true limit, Who dost enclose the earth in Thy palm, remember Thy most bitter pain which Thou didst endure when the Jews first fastened Thy most holy Hands to the cross with blunt nails, and then, to pierce Thy most delicate Feet, since Thou didst not fit their will, they added pain to pain upon Thy wounds, and thus cruelly drew and stretched Thee along the length and breadth of Thy cross, so that the joints of Thy members were loosened.

I beseech Thee, through the memory of this most sacred and most bitter pain upon the cross, that Thou wouldst give me Thy fear and Thy love. Amen.

Oratio Tertia

O Iesu, caelestis medice, recordare languoris, livoris, et doloris, quos in alto crucis patibulo levatus, passus es in omnibus dilaceratis membris tuis, quorum nullum in statu recte permanserat, ita ut nullus dolor similis tuo dolori inveniretur, quia a planta pedis usque ad verticem capitis non fuit in te sanitas, et tamen omnium doloris immemor, Patrem pro inimicis pie exorasti, dicens: Pater, ignosce illis, quia nesciunt quod faciunt.

Per hanc misericordiam et ob memoriam illius doloris, concede, ut haec memoria Passionis tuae amarissimae sit omnium peccatorum meorum plena remissio. Amen.

Third Prayer

O Jesus, heavenly Physician, remember the weakness, bruising, and pain which Thou didst suffer when, lifted up upon the high gibbet of the cross, Thou didst suffer in all Thy torn members, none of which remained in its proper state, so that no pain could be found like unto Thy pain, for from the sole of the foot unto the crown of the head there was no health in Thee. And yet, as though forgetful of all pain, Thou didst piously pray to the Father for Thy enemies, saying: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Through this mercy and by the memory of that pain, grant that this remembrance of Thy most bitter Passion may be the full remission of all my sins. Amen.

Oratio Quarta

O Iesu, vera libertas angelorum, paradisus deliciarum, memento moeroris et horroris quos sustinebas cum omnes inimici tui quasi leones ferocissimi te circumsteterunt et colaphizationibus, conspuitionibus, ungulationibus, ceterisque poenis inauditis te molestaverunt.

Per has poenas et per omnia contumeliosa verba, durissimaque tormenta, quibus te Domine Iesu Christe, omnes inimici afflixerunt, deprecor te ut liberes me ab omnibus inimicis meis visibilibus et invisibilibus, et dones me sub umbra alarum tuarum ad perfectionem salutis aeternae pervenire. Amen.

Fourth Prayer

O Jesus, true liberty of the angels, paradise of delights, remember the sorrow and horror which Thou didst endure when all Thy enemies surrounded Thee like most savage lions and tormented Thee with blows, spittings, clawings, and other unheard-of punishments.

Through these punishments and through all the insulting words and most hard torments with which all the enemies afflicted Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech Thee that Thou wouldst free me from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and grant me to come under the shadow of Thy wings unto the perfection of eternal salvation. Amen.

Oratio Quinta

O Iesu, speculum claritatis aeternae, memento illius moeroris quem habuisti quando in speculo serenissimae maiestatis tuae conspexisti praedestinationem electorum tuorum per merita tuae Passionis salvandorum et reprobationem malorum per sua demerita damnandorum, et per abyssum miserationis tuae, qua nobis perditis peccatoribus et desperatis tunc condoluisti, et quam latroni in cruce exhibuisti dicens: Hodie mecum eris in Paradiso.

Rogo te, pie Iesu, ut facias mecum misericordiam in hora mortis meae. Amen.

Fifth Prayer

O Jesus, mirror of eternal brightness, remember that sorrow which Thou hadst when, in the mirror of Thy most serene majesty, Thou didst behold the predestination of Thy elect, who were to be saved by the merits of Thy Passion, and the reprobation of the wicked, who were to be condemned by their own demerits; and remember the abyss of Thy compassion, whereby Thou didst then have pity on us lost and desperate sinners, and which Thou didst show to the thief upon the cross, saying: This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.

I beseech Thee, merciful Jesus, that Thou wouldst deal mercifully with me in the hour of my death. Amen.

Oratio Sexta

O Rex amabilis et amice totus desiderabilis, memento illius moeroris, quem habuisti quando nudus et miserabilis in cruce pependisti, et omnes amici et noti tui adversus te steterunt, et nullum consolantem inveniebas, nisi solum dilectam Genetricem tuam in amaritudine animae suae tibi fidelissimae astantem, quam Discipulo tuo commendasti, dicens: Mulier, ecce filius tuus.

Rogo te, piissime Iesu, per gladium doloris, qui tunc eius animam pertransivit, ut compatiaris mihi in omnibus tribulationibus et afflictionibus meis corporalibus et spiritualibus, et da mihi consolationem in tempore tribulationis, et in hora mortis meae. Amen.

Sixth Prayer

O lovable King and Friend wholly desirable, remember that sorrow which Thou hadst when Thou didst hang naked and miserable upon the cross, and all Thy friends and acquaintances stood against Thee, and Thou didst find none to console Thee except only Thy beloved Mother, standing most faithfully by Thee in the bitterness of her soul; whom Thou didst commend to Thy disciple, saying: Woman, behold thy son.

I beseech Thee, most merciful Jesus, through the sword of sorrow which then pierced her soul, that Thou wouldst have compassion on me in all my tribulations and afflictions, bodily and spiritual, and give me consolation in the time of tribulation and in the hour of my death. Amen.

Oratio Septima

O Iesu, fons inexhaustae pietatis, qui ex intimo dilectionis affectu in cruce dixisti: Sitio, scilicet salutem generis humani, accende, quaeso, cordium nostrorum desideria ad omne opus perfectum, et sitim carnalis concupiscentiae, aestum mundanae delectationis in nobis penitus refrigera et exstingue. Amen.

Seventh Prayer

O Jesus, inexhaustible fountain of piety, Who from the inward affection of love didst say upon the cross: I thirst, that is, for the salvation of mankind; kindle, I beseech Thee, the desires of our hearts toward every perfect work, and wholly cool and extinguish in us the thirst of carnal concupiscence and the heat of worldly delight. Amen.

Oratio Octava

O Iesu, dulcedo cordium, ingensque suavitas mentium, per amaritudinem aceti et fellis, quam pro nobis degustasti, in hora mortis nostrae, concede nobis Corpus et Sanguinem tuum digne percipere ad remedium et consolationem animarum nostrarum. Amen.

Eighth Prayer

O Jesus, sweetness of hearts and great delight of souls, by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which Thou didst taste for us, grant us in the hour of our death to receive worthily Thy Body and Blood as a remedy and consolation for our souls. Amen.

Oratio Nona

O Iesu, regalis virtus, iubilusque mentalis, memento angustiae et doloris quem passus es, quando prae mortis amaritudine et Iudaeorum insultatione cum magna voce te a Deo Patre derelictum clamasti, dicens: Deus meus, Deus meus, ut quid dereliquisti me?

Per hanc angustiam peto a te, ut in angustiis nostris non derelinquas nos, Domine Deus noster. Amen.

Ninth Prayer

O Jesus, royal strength and joy of the mind, remember the anguish and pain which Thou didst suffer when, because of the bitterness of death and the insults of the Jews, Thou didst cry out with a loud voice that Thou wast forsaken by God the Father, saying: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?

Through this anguish I ask of Thee that in our anguishes Thou wouldst not forsake us, O Lord our God. Amen.

Oratio Decima

O Iesu, Alpha et Omega, vita et virtus in omni tempore, recordare, quod a summo capite usque ad plantam pedis te pro nobis in aqua Passionis demersisti.

Propter latitudinem et longitudinem vulnerum tuorum, doce me, per veram caritatem, custodire latum mandatum tuum, nimis peccatis demersum. Amen.

Tenth Prayer

O Jesus, Alpha and Omega, life and virtue in every time, remember that from the crown of Thy head unto the sole of Thy foot Thou didst immerse Thyself for us in the waters of the Passion.

Because of the breadth and length of Thy wounds, teach me, who am too deeply immersed in sins, to keep Thy broad commandment through true charity. Amen.

Oratio Undecima

O Iesu, abyssus profundissima misericordiae, rogo te propter profunditatem vulnerum tuorum, quae pertransierunt medullam ossium ac viscerum tuorum, ut me submersum in peccatis emergas, abscondasque me in foraminibus vulnerum tuorum a facie irae tuae, donec pertranseat furor tuus, Domine. Amen.

Eleventh Prayer

O Jesus, deepest abyss of mercy, I beseech Thee, because of the depth of Thy wounds, which passed through the marrow of Thy bones and Thy inward parts, that Thou wouldst raise me up, submerged in sins, and hide me in the openings of Thy wounds from the face of Thy wrath, until Thy fury pass away, O Lord. Amen.

Oratio Duodecima

O Iesu, veritatis speculum, signum unitatis, caritatisque vinculum, memento multitudinis innumerabilium vulnerum tuorum, quibus a summo capitis usque ad imum pedis vulneratus fuisti, et sanctissimo Sanguine tuo rubricatus, quam magnitudinem doloris in virginea carne tua pertulisti pro nobis! Pie Iesu, quid ultra debuisti facere et non fecisti?

Scribe, quaeso, o pie Iesu, omnia vulnera tua in corde meo pretiosissimo Sanguine tuo, ut in illis legam dolorem tuum et mortem, ut in gratiarum actione usque in finem iugiter perseverem. Amen.

Twelfth Prayer

O Jesus, mirror of truth, sign of unity, and bond of charity, remember the multitude of Thy innumerable wounds, by which Thou wast wounded from the crown of Thy head unto the bottom of Thy foot, and reddened with Thy most holy Blood. How great was the pain Thou didst bear in Thy virginal flesh for us! Merciful Jesus, what more oughtest Thou to have done and hast not done?

Write, I beseech Thee, O merciful Jesus, all Thy wounds in my heart with Thy most precious Blood, that in them I may read Thy sorrow and death, and that in thanksgiving I may continually persevere unto the end. Amen.

Oratio Tertia Decima

O Iesu, leo fortissime, Rex immortalis et invictissime, memento doloris quem passus es cum omnes vires cordis et corporis tui penitus defecerunt et inclinato capite, Consummatum est, dixisti.

Per hanc angustiam et dolorem miserere mei cum anima mea in ultima consummatione exitus spiritus mei anxiata fuerit et conturbata. Amen.

Thirteenth Prayer

O Jesus, most mighty Lion, immortal and most unconquered King, remember the pain which Thou didst suffer when all the strength of Thy Heart and Body utterly failed, and, bowing Thy head, Thou didst say: It is consummated.

Through this anguish and pain have mercy on me when my soul, in the final consummation of the departure of my spirit, shall be distressed and troubled. Amen.

Oratio Quarta Decima

O Iesu, unigenite altissimi Patris, splendor et figura substantiae eius, memento obnixae commendationis, qua Patri spiritum commendasti, dicens: In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum. Et lacerato corpore, rupto corde cum valido clamore, patefactis visceribus misericordiae tuae pro nobis redimendis, expirasti.

Per hanc pretiosissimam mortem precor te, Rex sanctorum, conforta me ad resistendum diabolo, mundo, carni et sanguini, ut mundo mortuus tibi vivam, et in novissima hora exitus mei suscipe ad te revertentem spiritum meum exulem et peregrinum. Amen.

Fourteenth Prayer

O Jesus, only-begotten Son of the Most High Father, splendor and figure of His substance, remember the earnest commendation by which Thou didst commend Thy spirit to the Father, saying: Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend My spirit. And, with Thy Body torn and Thy Heart broken, with a strong cry, having opened the bowels of Thy mercy for our redemption, Thou didst expire.

Through this most precious death I pray Thee, King of the saints, strengthen me to resist the devil, the world, the flesh, and blood, that, dead to the world, I may live unto Thee; and in the last hour of my departure receive my spirit, an exile and a pilgrim, returning unto Thee. Amen.

Oratio Quinta Decima

O Iesu, vitis vera et fecunda, memento supereffluentis et abundantis effusionis Sanguinis tui, quem tu sicut de botro expressum copiosissime effudisti, quando in cruce torcular solus calcasti, et lancea militari perfosso latere nobis sanguinem et aquam propinasti, ita ut nec minima gutta in te remaneret, et demum quasi myrrhae fasciculus in altum suspensus fuisti, et delicata caro tua evanuit, et liquor viscerum tuorum exaruit, et medulla ossium tuorum emarcuit.

Per hanc amarissimam passionem tuam et pretiosi Sanguinis effusionem, pie Iesu, precor te, suscipe animam meam in agone mortis meae. Amen.

Fifteenth Prayer

O Jesus, true and fruitful vine, remember the overflowing and abundant outpouring of Thy Blood, which Thou didst pour forth most copiously as from a pressed cluster of grapes, when on the cross Thou alone didst tread the winepress; and when, Thy side being pierced by the soldier’s lance, Thou didst give us Blood and Water to drink, so that not even the least drop remained in Thee. And at last Thou wast suspended on high like a bundle of myrrh, and Thy delicate flesh failed, and the moisture of Thy inward parts dried up, and the marrow of Thy bones withered.

Through this Thy most bitter Passion and the outpouring of Thy precious Blood, merciful Jesus, I pray Thee, receive my soul in the agony of my death. Amen.

Conclusio

O Domine Iesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, suscipe hanc orationem in amore illo superexcellenti, in quo omnia vulnera tui sanctissimi Corporis sustinuisti, et miserere mei famuli tui, et omnibus peccatoribus, cunctisque fidelibus tam vivis quam defunctis da misericordiam, gratiam, remissionem et vitam aeternam. Amen.

Conclusion

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, receive this prayer in that surpassing love in which Thou didst endure all the wounds of Thy most holy Body, and have mercy on me Thy servant, and grant mercy, grace, remission, and eternal life to all sinners and to all the faithful, both living and departed. Amen.

Secundum prudentem iudicium hae promissiones ab Ecclesia Catholica ut certo probatae vel authentice confirmatae non habentur, sed in ordine piae fidei et traditionis devotionis manent, prout revelationi Sanctae Birgittae attribuuntur.

Dicitur Sanctam Birgittam diu scire voluisse quot ictus Dominus noster Iesus Christus in sua Passione recepisset. Quodam die Salvator ei apparuisse dicitur et dixisse:

“Corpus meum accepit 5480 ictus. Si eos pia aliqua consuetudine honorare vis, dic per integrum annum quindecim Pater noster et quindecim Ave Maria cum orationibus quas tibi tradidi; atque ita, anno expleto, unamquamque plagam meam honorabis.”

In forma promissionis additur quod quicumque has orationes quotidie per annum recitaverit:

• Quindecim animas de sua stirpe e purgatorio liberandas esse.
• Quindecim iustos ex suis cognatis confirmandos et in gratia conservandos esse.
• Quindecim peccatores ex sua cognatione convertendos esse.
• Eum qui has preces recitat certum perfectionis gradum consecuturum esse.
• Quindecim diebus ante mortem veram contritionem de peccatis accepturum esse.
• Quindecim diebus ante mortem Corpus et Sanguinem Domini tamquam auxilium salutis accepturum esse.
• Christum crucem suam victoriosam ei oppositurum esse contra insidias inimicorum.
• Dominum ante mortem cum Matre sua dilectissima ad eum venturum esse.
• Animam eius benigne susceptam in gaudium aeternum introducendam esse.
• Eidem aliquid ex fonte divinae dulcedinis esse concessum, quod aliis negaretur.
• Etiamsi quis triginta annos in peccato vixisset, si deinde has preces corde contrito recitaret aut saltem recitare proponeret, sed morte impedirentur, Dominum peccata eius remissurum esse.
• Eum a gravibus tentationibus defensum iri.
• Ei quinque sensus conservandos esse.
• Eum a subitanea morte praeservandum esse.
• Animam eius a poenis aeternis liberandam esse.
• Eum impetraturum esse quidquid a Deo et a Beatissima Virgine peteret.
• Si secundum voluntatem Dei viveret et praematura morte esset moriturus, vitam eius prolongandam esse.
• Quoties has preces recitaret, indulgentiam partialem obtenturum esse.
• Ei securitatem dari de futura societate chorum angelicorum.
• Eum qui alios has preces doceret numquam gaudio et merito cariturum esse.
• Ubicumque hae preces recitarentur, Deum ibi gratia sua adesse.

According to prudent judgment, these promises are not approved by the Catholic Church as certain and authentically confirmed, but remain within the sphere of pious belief and devotional tradition, as matters attributed to the revelation of Saint Bridget.

For a long time Saint Bridget desired to know how many blows Our Lord Jesus Christ received during His Passion. One day the Saviour is said to have appeared to her and said:

“My Body received 5480 blows. If thou desirest to honour them by some pious practice, say for the space of a whole year fifteen Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys with the prayers which I have taught thee; and thus, when the year is completed, thou wilt have honoured each one of My Wounds.”

It is further added by way of promise that whoever shall recite these prayers daily for a year:

• Fifteen souls of his lineage shall be delivered from Purgatory.
• Fifteen just persons of his family shall be confirmed and preserved in grace.
• Fifteen sinners of his family shall be converted.
• The person who recites these prayers shall attain a certain degree of perfection.
• Fifteen days before death he shall receive true contrition for all his sins, together with a knowledge of their gravity.
• Fifteen days before death he shall receive the Most Holy Body and Precious Blood of the Lord as an aid unto salvation.
• Christ shall place before him His victorious Cross as help and defence against the snares of his enemies.
• Before his death Christ shall come to him with His dearest and most beloved Mother.
• He shall receive his soul kindly and lead it into eternal joy.
• Having led it there, He shall let him taste from the wondrous fountain of His Divinity.
• Even if one had lived for thirty years in mortal sin, yet afterward recited these prayers with a contrite heart, or at least formed the resolution to recite them, but death prevented him from doing so, the Lord would forgive his sins.
• He shall defend him against grievous temptations.
• He shall preserve for him his five senses.
• He shall preserve him from a sudden death.
• He shall deliver his soul from eternal punishments.
• That person shall obtain all that he asks of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• If one had always lived according to the will of God and should be destined to die prematurely, his life shall be prolonged.
• Whoever recites these prayers shall gain a partial indulgence each time.
• That person shall receive the assurance of sharing the happiness of the angelic choirs.
• Whoever teaches these prayers to others shall never be deprived of joy and merit, but they shall endure for ever.
• Wherever these prayers are said, God is present there by His grace.