How to Pray the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget During Lent or on Fridays

The 15 Prayers of St. Bridget are a profound devotion to the Passion of Christ, but knowing when and how to pray them can make all the difference. Two seasons in particular are uniquely suited for this devotion: Lent (the 40 days of preparation for Easter) and Fridays (the weekly memorial of Christ’s crucifixion). This guide will walk you through practical ways to incorporate these 15 prayers into Lenten fasting and Friday penance, helping you meditate more deeply on the suffering of Our Lord.

Lent is a season of conversion — a time to pray, fast, and give alms. What better way to observe Lent than by contemplating the very Passion that won our salvation? Similarly, the Church has always designated Fridays as days of penance because Christ died on a Friday. By praying the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget each Friday, you unite your small sacrifices to His great sacrifice on the Cross.

Whether you are new to this devotion or a seasoned prayer, this guide will provide you with schedules, tips, and spiritual insights to make your Lenten and Friday prayers both fruitful and sustainable.

The Spiritual Significance of Lent and Fridays

Why Pray the 15 Prayers During Lent?

Lent invites us to:

• Repent of sin and turn back to God

• Remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return

• Renew our baptismal promises

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• Walk with Jesus through His 40 days in the desert and His journey to Calvary

The 15 Prayers of St. Bridget are a perfect Lenten devotion because they focus entirely on Christ’s Passion — from the Agony in the Garden to His death on the Cross. Each prayer asks you to “remember” specific sufferings of Jesus. During Lent, the Church strips away the “alleluias,” veils the statues, and shifts liturgical colors to purple. Praying these 15 prayers aligns your personal devotion with the Church’s liturgical rhythm.

Why Pray the 15 Prayers on Fridays?

Every Friday is a “little Good Friday.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1438) reminds us that Fridays are days of penance. Traditionally, Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays, but prayer is an equally important form of penance. By praying the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget each Friday, you:

• Honor the day of Christ’s death in a specific, structured way

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• Fulfill a weekly act of spiritual penance

• Build a sustainable rhythm (once per week is easier than daily for many people)

• Prepare your heart for Sunday, the Lord’s Resurrection

Two Primary Schedules for Praying the 15 Prayers

Choose the schedule that fits your state of life:

Schedule A: Lenten Journey (40 Days)

Pray all 15 prayers every day from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday (excluding Sundays, which are mini-Easters not of penance). This is the most intense and traditional approach.

Total prayers during Lent (excluding Sundays): Approximately 40 days

Schedule B: Friday Devotion (Year-Round)

Pray all 15 prayers every Friday of the year. This is sustainable for busy families, working adults, and those who cannot commit to daily prayer.

Step-by-Step Guide for Each Prayer Session

What You Will Need

• A printed copy of the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget (from the previous article)

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• A Rosary or prayer beads to count the 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Marys

• A crucifix to gaze upon (highly recommended)

• A quiet space free from distractions

• A candle (optional, but helpful for Lenten atmosphere)

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READ ALSO Catholic Prayers Before Confession

The Structure of Each Prayer Session

For each of the 15 prayers, follow this pattern:

1. Pray the Opening Invocation: “O Jesus…” (the prayer text itself)

2. Pause for 10–15 seconds to meditate on the specific wound or suffering mentioned

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3. Pray One Our Father

4. Pray One Hail Mary

5. Move to the next prayer

After completing all 15 prayers, conclude with the Concluding Prayer (“O Sweet Jesus! Pierce my heart…”)

Total Time Required

• Beginner: 30–40 minutes (includes pauses and distractions)

• Experienced: 20–25 minutes

• With meditation only: 45–60 minutes

 Lenten-Specific Adaptations

Ash Wednesday Special Focus

On Ash Wednesday, before beginning the 15 prayers, pray this additional opening:

Lord, as I receive ashes upon my forehead as a sign of my mortality, I ask for the grace to pray these 15 prayers with a contrite heart. Remind me that I am dust, and to dust I shall return — but also that You died to raise me to eternal life. Amen.

Fridays of Lent: Add Fasting or Almsgiving

On Lenten Fridays, pair the 15 prayers with one of these penitential acts:

• Abstain from meat (traditional)

• Skip one meal (if health permits)

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• Give up social media for the day

• Donate the cost of a meal to the poor

• Perform an extra work of mercy (visit the sick, call a lonely relative)

Holy Week: Increase Solemnity

During Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday), consider these additions:

Good Friday — The Most Powerful Day

Good Friday is the ideal day to pray the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget. Here is a special schedule:

Good Friday Prayer Timeline

Good Friday Optional Additions

• Kneel for the entire 15 prayers (if physically able)

• Pray before a life-sized crucifix

• Sing or recite the Stabat Mater (the ancient hymn to Mary at the Cross) between prayers

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• Venerate a relic of the True Cross (if available at your parish)

Tips for Perseverance

Overcoming Common Obstacles

Creating a Prayer Space for Lent

Set up a small “Lenten prayer corner” with:

• A crucifix draped in purple cloth

• A candle (extinguish after praying)

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• An image of Our Lady of Sorrows

• A bowl of ashes (from Ash Wednesday) as a reminder of mortality

READ ALSO The Act of Contrition Prayer: A Complete Catholic Guide

Praying with Others

The 15 prayers can be prayed:

• Solo (most common)

• With a spouse (take turns reading the long prayers)

• In a small group (divide the 15 prayers among members)

• At a parish Lenten devotion (with permission from your pastor)

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 A Sample Friday of Lent Prayer Schedule

Here is a realistic timeline for a busy Catholic on a Lenten Friday:

Combining the 15 Prayers with Other Lenten Devotions

You do not have to choose one devotion. The 15 Prayers of St. Bridget work beautifully alongside:

A Short Examination of Conscience Before Praying

Before beginning the 15 prayers during Lent or on a Friday, spend 2–3 minutes asking:

• Have I been grateful for Christ’s suffering, or have I taken it for granted?

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• What sin am I most attached to? Will I offer this prayer for the grace to abandon it?

• How can I suffer with Christ today — not in despair, but in union with Him?

Then pray the Act of Contrition.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

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Concluding Blessing for Your Devotion

As you begin or continue this practice of praying the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget during Lent and on Fridays, receive this blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
And may the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of St. Bridget, and your own faithful prayers bring you ever closer to the Heart of God, now and until you behold His wounded glory in Heaven. Amen.