Day 7: Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful

Is it not perhaps the Heart of Him who, “went about doing good” to all (Acts 10:38)? Of Him who made the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the dead to be raised up and the poor to have the Good News preached to them (LK7:22)?

Is it not perhaps the Heart of Jesus who himself had no place to rest His head, while the foxes have their dens and the birds their nests (Mt 8:20)? Is it not perhaps the Heart of Jesus who was called “friend if publicans and sinners” (Mt 11:19)?

Most of all, let us reread this Heart in the moment of the crucifixion, when it was pierced by the lance, when the mystery written in it was completely revealed. The patient Heart because it is open to all the sufferings of man. The patient Heart because it is itself disposed too accept a suffering beyond any human measure. The patient Heart because it is most merciful.

What really is mercy, if not that definitive measure of love which descends into the very centre of evil to overcome it with good. What is it, if not the love which overcomes the sin of the world through suffering and death. (St Pope John Paul II)

Let us pray:  The Lord Jesus has revealed the free and universal love of the Father and from his open heart flows the source of every grace and blessing.

Let us entrust our prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as we say:

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, whose heart when pierced by a lance poured forth blood and water and gave birth to your spouse the Church, cleanse and sanctify us.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, King and center of all hearts, you love us and lead us to yourself with unending love and mercy, renew your covenant with all men.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, the fullness of divinity dwells in you, give us a share in your divine life.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, in you are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, make known to us through your Church the manifold wisdom of God.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, the Father was well pleased in you, help us to hear your word and keep it.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, you are the source of life and holiness, make us holy and blameless in love.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Let us pray:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who glory in the Heart of your beloved Son and recall the wonders of his love for us, may be made worthy to receive an overflowing measure of grace from that fount of heavenly gifts.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.