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Today we can begin our Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Feast day next Friday the 30th of May).

OR

We can pray along with my favorite “PINK SISTERS” (Holy Spirit Sister’s of Perpetual Adoration) up at Mount Grace Convent in St. Louis. This year (for whatever reason they have) the Sister’s will begin their annual Novena on the Friday.

BUT

We can do both novenas!

Pope Leo XIII, wrote and issued his Encyclical Letter, Annum Sacrum, on May 25, 1899. The letter consecrated humanity to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Though there had been devotion to the Sacred Heart before this time, Pope Leo XIII hoped his consecration “shall be in a manner the crowning perfection of all the honors that people have been accustomed to pay to the Sacred Heart, and which We confidently trust will be most pleasing to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.”

Our wonderful (excuse my obvious adjective of admiration) Archbishop, Raymond Burke is a strong devote of the Sacred Heart and he has built a special altar and shrine in our Cathedral Basilica in this honor. He encourages families to “Enthrone” a photo of the Sacred Heart in their homes and there is a special ceremony for doing this (click here).

In a letter written to the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Archbishop Burke reminded us of Pope John Paul II’s feelings on the Sacred Heart when he said:

“Placing our hearts, with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, into the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus, we are filled with the divine mercy and love which is our mission in the world. Our devoted love of our Lord Jesus, expressed in our devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, is not some static state or feeling. It is, rather, a relationship with God the Son made man, in which we take up with Him the mission given to Him by the Father, so that all men may be saved and our world may be prepared to welcome our Lord at His coming on the Last Day. Placing our hearts into the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are necessarily engaged in His kingly mission, in which reigning is serving, especially, serving our brothers and sisters in most need (Pope John Paul II, encyclical letter Redemptor hominis [At the Beginning of His Papal Ministry], March 4, 1979, n. 21).”

What words!

Here is a 9 day Novena prayer to start you on your own prayer journey…

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

OPENING PRAYER

O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in which dwells the fullness we have all received, who are the fountain of life and holiness.

Grant me a heart that is like unto You. You are our refuge and our strength. You are the Author of Mercy, listen to my prayers and grant that what I ask in faith I may effectually obtain if it be for the good of my soul and the greater glory of God. Amen.

First Day:

Divine and Most Merciful Heart of Jesus, who through Your sincere desire and deep love to bring me into salvation, has given consolation and dispelled the fears that becloud our hearts; inflame my heart with love of You, and wash away the indifference to which my soul is often subjected because of my innumerable sins. Grant me the grace necessary to atone for all my iniquities and ingratitude. O Heart most lovable, may my offering be acceptable to You, so that it may purify me from my sins and grant that I may obtain the grace I need during this novena if it be for the good of my soul and the greater glory of God. Amen.

Second Day:

O most adorable Heart of Jesus, the heaven’s gate that paves the way to the throne of the Most High, deign to hear my supplications. Grant me the graces that will help me love You more and more, so that I may be worthy to praise Your Glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit for all eternity in Your kingdom. Grant me strength of will and perseverance in the fulfillment of Your commandments so that You may bestow upon me the infinite wealth of Your love and thus make a worthy reparation for all my sins. Heart of Jesus most lovable, I humbly ask you to give me the graces I wish to obtain during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and for the greater glory of God. Amen.

Third Day:

O most holy Heart of Jesus, the safe way that leads to the eternal home, You are the source and fountain of life and holiness. Deign to give me fortitude so that I may not deviate from the course of holiness You have taught me to pursue in order that I may reach Your kingdom of glory. Enlighten my mind that I may learn Your good counsels so that I may also teach even my enemies as You have set the example of loving Your enemies even unto the death on the cross. Grant me the grace to stay away from sin, in order that I may be worthy to obtain the grace I ask during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and for the greater glory of God. Amen.

Fourth Day:

O Most Holy Heart of Jesus, the perfect mirror of all purity and goodness that should adorn my soul in this life and in the next, deign to inspire my mind to see the truth in Your love for mankind. Thus, I may think of no other thing but the steps that lead to Your Heart, the abyss of all virtues, and I may follow You in purity of action, thought and desire. Grant me the grace that will help me to strive always to expiate for my acts of ingratitude against Your love and mercy. Let me realize that in so doing alone, I shall be made worthy to obtain the graces that I ask during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and for the greater glory of God. Amen.

Fifth Day:

O most sweet Heart of Jesus, reach unto all that call upon You, who perfects all our work of holiness, I offer this humble supplication to You as a form of my devoted service for my own salvation and the spread of Your kingdom of love on earth. I desire to advance in the work that will gain for me the glory in heaven. So, dearest Heart of Jesus, grant me the grace that will help me please You all the days of my life. Produce in me divine fervor, whereby, having tasted the sweetness of Your love in Holy Communion, I may learn to despise earthly things and love those of heaven. O pure Heart of Jesus, I beg of You to grant me the favors I desire to obtain during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and for the greater glory of God. Amen.

Sixth Day:

O most admirable Heart of Jesus, source of all graces and most sacred temple that has contained Your infinite love and mercy, I give thanks to You for all the benefits I have obtained through my good works and for the peace and consolation You have given me from that temple of all virtues. My God, I desire to follow Your laws and persevere in the path of goodness so that I may be worthy to appear before Your throne in heaven. Grant me the grace necessary to help me atone for my sins of ingratitude and sloth in the performance of good works. O Heart most merciful, I also ask of You to grant me the favors I pray for during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and for the greater glory of God. Amen.

Seventh Day:

O most merciful Heart of Jesus, divine propitiation for the sins of man, I believe in the words of the Gospel that “Anything you ask in my name, it shall be given to you.” I beg You to offer up my humble prayers and pleas of pardon to Your Most Holy Father in heaven in order that I may worthily receive His blessings. Let me offer You all my prayers, works and suffering so that I may do my part in expiating for my sins and those of my relations. Deign, O God, to grant me the graces I ask during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and the greater glory of God. Amen.

Eighth Day:

O most loving Heart of Jesus, Furnace of Charity and Fountain of Love for man, You have willed that I should return that love with all my heart and mind. I desire to avoid all the occasions of sin that have made the path leading to Your Heart most difficult. Deign to grant, therefore, the grace to cleanse my life with pure love of You and let my desires center on loving You more and more. Your grace of love alone can thaw my indifference and inflame my heart with devotion. I also ask of You to grant me the favors I wish to obtain during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and the greater glory of God. Amen.

Ninth Day:

O Heart of Jesus, that has been the victim for my sins, I finally ask of You to make me sincere in my efforts to love You and to make reparation for all of my sins. Let me then be rooted in charity and always delight in serving You. Let my works reflect my desire to acclaim You the salvation of all those that hope in You and hope of all who die in You. Let me die in Your Heart. O most loving Jesus, for in You alone is my life and resurrection. Grant me the favors I desire to obtain during this novena, if it be for the good of my soul and for the greater glory of God. Amen.