It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard asked our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering, 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."
O Loving Jesus,
meek Lamb of God,
I 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.
