The devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of the most widely practised and well-known Catholic devotions, wherein the heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of “God’s boundless and passionate love for mankind” (Matt 11:28-30). This devotion is the fruit of the revelations of Jesus to a Roman Catholic nun from France, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who said she learned the devotion from Jesus during a series of apparitions to her between 1673 and 1675. Later, in the 19th century, the devotion gains universal recognition when in other mystical revelations of another Catholic nun in Portugal, by name Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart Droste zu Vischering, a religious sister of the Good Shepherd, who requested in the name of Christ that Pope Leo XIII consecrate the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Following Catholic tradition, friday after the feast of the Body and blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated. And so the novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus begins on the wednesday after the feast of the Most Holy Trinity (Trinity Sunday) and ends on the thursday after feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
HOW TO PRAY THIS NOVENA
Begin the novena prayers with the sign of the cross invoking the Blessed Trinity and recite the Promises of each day, and then conclude with the Prayers for Each Day.
FIRST DAY
Promises: I will give them all the Graces necessary for their state of life. I will establish peace in their families.
SECOND DAY
Promises: I will bless every home in which the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
THIRD DAY
Promises: I will console them in all their difficulties. I will be their refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
FOURTH DAY
Promises: I will pour abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
FIFTH DAY
Promises: Sinners shall find in My Heart a fountain and boundless ocean of mercy.
SIXTH DAY
Promises: Tepid souls shall become fervent. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
SEVENTH DAY
Promises: I will give to priests the power of touching the hardest hearts.
EIGHT DAY
Promises: Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart never to be blotted out.
NINTH DAY
Promises: I promise you, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all powerful love will grant to all who communicate on the First Friday of the Month, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance: they shall not die in My displeasure nor without receiving the Sacraments: My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last hour.
PRAYERS (FOR EACH DAY)
I. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of [say your intention]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
II. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask any thing of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of [say your intention]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
III. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.” Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of [say your intention]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender mother and ours.
Say the Hail, Holy Queen prayer
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
INDULGENCED PRAYERS
Most Sweet Heart of Jesus, grant that peace, the fruit of Justice and charity may reign throughout the world. O Heart of love, I put all my trust in Thee, for I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from thy Goodness. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us (3 times)
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, your kingdom come
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, protect our families!
LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
(Repeat have mercy on us, after each line)
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mother’s womb,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who call upon You,
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our iniquities,
Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in You,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints,
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
Make our hearts like unto Yours.
LET US PRAY:
O Almighty and Eternal God, look upon the Heart of Your dearly beloved Son, and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers You in the name of sinners and for those who seek Your mercy, be You appeased and grant us pardon in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and rules with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit world without end. Amen.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
