Prayer in Honor of the Shoulder Wound of Christ

 August 20 is the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian monk who lived during the Middle Ages. He is a great Saint and Doctor of the Church. It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard asked our Lord which was His most painful wound, 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.”

Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Christ

Most loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I, a 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.

God bless!

+JMJ+

Hymn Honoring our Lord

 The hymn “O Jesus Thou the Beauty Art,” which is attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, is a beautiful devotion to recite in honor of the Holy Name of Jesus. As we speak or sing these words to Jesus, may our souls and hearts be filled with the Love that is Our Lord. Just as the angels bow low in adoration and awe before His most Sacred Name, may we always honor this sweet Word that heals the sick, raises the dead, and gives joy and hope to the world!

I love listening to Traditional Latin chant, and this hymn sounds beautiful in chant.  If you would like to listen to it, this link provides an amazing rendition.

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O Jesus Thou the Beauty Art O Jesus, Thou the beauty art Of Angel worlds above! Thy name is music to the heart, Enchanting it with love! Celestial sweetness unalloyed! Who eat The hunger still, Who drink of Thee still feel a void Which naught but Thou canst fill! O my sweet Jesus! Hear the sighs Which unto Thee I send! To Thee my inmost spirit cries My being's hope and end! Stay with us, Lord, and with Thy light Illume the soul's abyss; Scatter the darkness of our night And fill the world with bliss. O Jesu! Spotless Virgin flower! Our life and joy! To Thee Be praise, beatitude and power, Through all eternity! Amen.

Jesu Decus Angelicum Jesu, decus angelicum, in aure dulce canticum, in ore mel mirificum, in corde nectar caelicum. Qui te gustant, esuriunt, qui bibunt, adhuc sitiunt; desiderare nesciunt, nisi Iesum, quem diligunt. O Iesu mi dulcissime, spes suspirantis animae! Te quaerunt piae lacrimae, Te clamor mentis intimae. Mane nobiscum, Domine, et nos illustra lumine; Pulsa mentis caligine, Mundum reple dulcedine. Iesu, flos Matris Virginis, amor nostrae dulcedinis, Tibi laus, honor nominis, regnum beatitudinis. Amen.

--The Raccolta

Blessed be the Holy Name of Jesus without end!

+JMJ+

On the Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux

 August 20 is the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian monk who lived during the Middle Ages. He is a great saint and Doctor of the Church, well known for his counsels to kings and popes, his writings, and his leadership as Abbot of the monastery of Clairvaux. Though born of a rich and noble family, St. Bernard continually asked the question of himself: "For what purpose are you on earth?" This simple question is one each of us should ask of ourselves to ensure we are doing God's work and to help us remember the importance of serving God and not the world. St. Bernard had a great love for Our Lord and Our Lady. He penned numerous hymns in honor of Jesus, including the beautiful hymn “O Jesus, King Most Wonderful,” included below.

“O Jesus, King Most Wonderful”

O Jesus, King most wonderful,

Thou Conqueror renowned,

Thou Sweetness most ineffable,

In Whom all joys are found!

When once Thou visitest the heart,

Then truth begins to shine,

Then earthly vanities depart,

Then kindles love divine.

O Jesus, Light of all below,

Thou Fount of life and fire,

Surpassing all the joys we know,

And all we can desire!

Thy wondrous mercies are untold,

Through each returning day;

Thy love exceeds a thousand fold,

Whatever we can say.

May every heart confess Thy Name;

And ever Thee adore;

And seeking Thee, itself inflame,

To seek Thee more and more.

Thee may our tongues forever bless;

Thee may we love alone;

And ever in our lives express

The image of Thine own.

--St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!