Prayer to the Sacred Shoulder of Jesus of St. Bernard

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a Doctor of the Church, had an influential devotion to the Sacred Shoulder of Jesus. According to legend, Bernard had a vision of Jesus suffering on the way to His crucifixion. As he saw Jesus carrying the cross on his shoulder, Bernhard could not bear to look away. In the vision, Christ spoke to him and revealed that His Shoulder was almost dislocated because of the weight of the cross and that His sufferings began here. This gave rise to the devotion to the Shoulder Wound of Christ, which is so beloved by many Christians around the world.

Bernard’s experience with the vision changed him deeply, and he began to pray earnestly to the Sacred Shoulder of Jesus. He composed a prayer that has been recited and cherished by countless believers throughout history:

“Most loving Jesus, meek lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most sacred wound of Your Shoulder, On which You bore Your heavy Cross, which so tore Your flesh and laid Your bones as to inflict an anguish greater than any other wound of Your Most Blessed Body. I adore You, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify You, and give thanks fully to You for this most holy and sacred and painful wound, beseeching You by that exceeding pain and by the crushing burden of Your heavy Cross, to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins and to lead me on toward Heaven along the Way of the Cross. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

This prayer speaks to the deep suffering and sacrifice that Christ endured for our salvation. At the same time, it is also a plea for forgiveness and grace. By invoking the Sacred Shoulder, we are reminded of Christ’s humanity, His vulnerability and His willingness to suffer for our sakes.

This devotion is particularly relevant for those who feel a heavy burden in their lives, or who are struggling with difficult emotions or situations. It can be comforting to know that Christ has suffered as we have and that He understands our struggles. Through His wounds – especially the Shoulder Wound – we are able to recognize His great love for us, and to seek comfort and strength in His arms.

In addition to prayer, many Christians also wear a Scapular of the Shoulder, which is a popular devotional item that is worn around the neck. The scapular is typically made of two small pieces of cloth with the image of the Shoulder Wound on one and a prayer on the other. It is a reminder of our commitment to Christ, and a way to demonstrate our devotion to Him.

Ultimately, the devotion to the Sacred Shoulder of Jesus is a reminder of His great love for us. As we reflect on the sacrifice that He made for our sakes, we are moved to compassion and gratitude. And through prayer, we are able to draw closer to Him, seeking His mercy and grace. May we all be inspired by the devotion of St. Bernard, and seek to follow in his footsteps as we offer our own prayers to the Sacred Shoulder of Jesus.