The Five Holy Wounds of Christ
The Five Holy Wounds of Christ refer to the wounds Jesus suffered during His Crucifixion—one in each hand, one in each foot, and one in His side. These wounds are a profound reminder of His immense love and sacrifice for humanity.
Devotion to the Five Wounds
Devotion to Christ’s Holy Wounds has been practiced for centuries. In the 14th century, a special Mass known as the Golden Mass was celebrated in honor of the Five Wounds, during which five candles would be lit.
In many parts of the world, church bells would ring at noon on Fridays, calling the faithful to pause and pray five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys in honor of Christ’s wounds. Likewise, in 14th century Germany, it was customary to recite 15 Our Fathers a day in honour of Jesus’ wounds. And even the structure of the rosary reflects this devotion, with its five large beads and corresponding Our Fathers.
Another well-known devotion is the Chaplet of the Five Wounds, composed by Father Paul Aloysius and approved by Pope Leo XII. In the Pope’s decree approving the chaplet, he described its structure:
“This Chaplet is a formula of prayer containing five sections of five beads each. On each bead, one Glory Be to the Father is said, and between the sections, one Hail Mary in honor of the Sorrowful Virgin.”
Saints Devoted to the Five Wounds
Many Catholic saints had a deep devotion to the Five Wounds of Christ, finding in them a source of spiritual strength and meditation.
St. Clare of Assisi
St. Clare composed The Litany of the Sacred Wounds, a prayer in which she reflects on each of Christ’s wounds, asking for specific graces and His mercy. She prayed:
“Grant me the grace that, by a devout and frequent remembrance of Thy Holy Passion, I may honor Thy sacred wounds and the death which Thou didst endure for love of me…”
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis, known for his profound love of Christ’s Passion, often meditated on His wounds with deep reverence. His devotion was so great that he became the first recorded saint to receive the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ on his own body, mystically uniting him with Christ’s suffering.
Personal Reflection & Application
Meditating on Jesus’ five wounds has been a great source of strength in my life. When I am tempted, I instinctively turn my mind to Him on the Cross, imagining myself kissing each of His wounds. When there is that peer-pressure to conform to the world, or that temptation to consent to a terrible thought—He is my strength. Reflecting on what He suffered for me gives me the courage I need to stay true to my Faith.
I want my children to develop this same devotion. I take our family crucifix down from the wall and place it in their laps, encouraging them to kiss His wounds and speak to Him. I tell them about His sacrifice and His immense love for us. It is heartwarming to see them gently kiss His wounds and try to remove the nails from His hands and feet. I pray that as they grow, they will find the same courage and strength in meditating on His wounds—especially in times of suffering, persecution, and temptation.
References:
Franciscan Media – St. Francis and the Stigmata
Secular Franciscans USA – The Five Wounds of Christ
Society of Ignatians – Devotion to the Five Wounds
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15714a.htm
