EFFICACIOUS NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: DAY 2

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

(The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was started and made popular by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She was inspired by visions of Jesus to spread this devotion).

Hymn

1. All you who seek a comfort sure
In trouble and distress,
Whatever sorrow burdens you,
Whatever griefs oppress.

Ref.: Jesus, who gave Himself for you
Upon the Cross to die,
Opens to you His Sacred Heart;
Oh, to that Heart draw nigh.

2. You hear how kindly He invites;
You hear His words so blest:
“All you who labour, come to Me,
And I will give you rest.”

3. O Heart adored by saints on high,
And hope of sinners here,
We place our humble trust in You
And lift to You our prayer.

4. Jesus, who gave Himself for you
Upon the Cross to die,
Let there His Heart for love be pierced:
Oh, to that Heart draw nigh!

OPENING PRAYER

Heart of Jesus, full of love for everyone, why do we correspond so badly and even treat you with contempt? We have been ungrateful and we do not know how to love you above all things. Convert us and we will be converted.

O God, who in the Heart of your Son, wounded by our sins, in the infinite concessions of love treasures, grant that we offer a fair reparation, consecrating ourselves to the Sacred Heart all our lives. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

SCRIPTURAL READING: Jeremiah 31:33

This is the covenant I will make with the House of Israel when those days arrive – it is the Lord who speaks. Deep within them, I will plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I will be their God and they shall be my people.

The Word of the Lord…

REFLECTION ON THE LIFE OF ST. MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE (Apostle of the Sacred Heart):

Part 2 (Religious Vocation)

After the death of her father, Margaret and her family were forced into poverty when a relative refused to hand over the family’s assets. Margaret’s only comfort in life was her frequent visits to pray before the Blessed Sacrament at a local church.

At 17-years-old, Margaret’s family was able to regain control of their assets. Margaret’s mother started encouraging her to become more social, in hopes she would find a suitable husband.

Young men began to approach her family about her. Several made advantageous marriage proposals. Margaret Mary began to think about ignoring her call to the religious life. Then Jesus scourged appeared before her and told her it was her vanity that had put him in that state. She began to hurt herself more.

Finally, despite her family’s anger, she made it clear that she had to enter religious life. Her family pushed her to join her cousin with the Ursulines, but she had a mystical experience with St. Francis de Sales and knew she was supposed to be his daughter. She entered the Order of the Visitation nuns at Paray when she was twenty-three years old.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! I adore you; I offer to you all that I am and all that I possess; I consecrate to you my soul with its faculties, my body with all its senses, my heart with all its affections, desiring in all things to honor, love, and glorify you; in thanksgiving for the numberless benefits that I have received from you, especially in the Holy Eucharist; in atonement for my own sins as well as in reparation for all the offenses that are committed against you in the sacrament of your love, and, finally, in humble supplication, that I may henceforth be faithful to you, that I may please you in thought, word, and deed, that I may suffer in patience and in perfect resignation to your holy will, that I may become like to you in meekness and humility, that I may persevere in your love and your grace to the end of my life, and that I may praise you and bless you with the saints and angels in eternity.

We beseech you, also, O good Jesus, by your Sacred Heart, overflowing with sweetness and mercy, to bless our Holy Father, the Pope, and our Holy Mother, the Church; to take under your special protection this congregation [my parish], our homes, our country, our rulers, our legislators, our bishops, our priests, and all Religious Orders. We recommend to you all our concerns, our friends, relatives, benefactors, and all those who have asked us to pray for them; those who are sick and those who are dying, and all who are under any affliction. Cast an eye of compassion on obstinate sinners, [the mistaken], and unbelievers. Give eternal rest to the faithful departed. Bless in particular the apostolic labours of those who are engaged in giving missions and retreats, in propagating the Faith in [mission] lands, in spreading your kingdom on earth, and in fostering devotion to Your Most Sacred Heart and to the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

I. O my Jesus, you have said: ‘Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.’ Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of…… (here, name your request) 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 anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.’ Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of…… (here, name your request) 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… . . (here name your request) 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.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto Yours (x3)

Immaculate heart of Mary, Pray for us!!!

Hail Holy Queen…

St. Joseph, Pray for us!

 St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us!

Sources:

The Letters of St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque, Tan Books, 1954

The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by John Croiset, Tan Books, 1988

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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?