EFFICACIOUS NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: DAY 7

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. O Sacred Heart, what shall I render Thee,
For all the gifts Thou hast bestowed on me?
O Heart of God, Thou seem’st but to implore,
That I should love Thee daily more and more.

Chorus:
Then I will love Thee,
Then I will love Thee,
Then I will love Thee
Daily more and more.

2. O Heart of Jesus, come and live in me,
That with thy love my heart consumed may be;
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore,
That I may love Thee daily more and more.

3. O Sacred Heart, be this our life’s one aim,
To labor for the glory of Thy name;
O dearest Heart, this grace we Thee implore,
That all the world may know and love Thee more.

OPENING PRAYER

Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, You lovingly feed us in every Eucharistic celebration, offering Your very Self to us. You who are always grateful to us for a glass of water or a simple coin in the poor and needy, forgive our ingratitude. Make us love You above all things for a lifetime. May we also recognize Your holy Will with the help of your grace.

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 32:40

I will make an everlasting covenant with them. I will not cease in my efforts for their good, and I will put respect for me into their hearts so that they turn from me no more.

The Word of the Lord…

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

Part 7 (Death, legacy, beatification, canonization, and feast day)

Margaret Mary died a couple of years later, at the age of 43, on October 17, 1690, while being anointed. She spoke the words, “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.” After her death, the devotion to the Sacred Heart was adopted by the Jesuits but remained controversial within the Church. The practice did not become officially recognized until 75 years later.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was the topic of discussion long after her death. People talked about her mission and qualities, her revelations and spiritual maxims, and her teachings on the Sacred Heart. On September 18, 1864, Margaret Mary was beatified by Pope Pius IX. When her tomb was opened a few years later, two immediate cures took place and her body laid incorrupt.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was officially canonized on May 13, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and, in 1928, Pope Pius XI upheld the Church’s position regarding the credibility behind her visions of Jesus Christ. He stated: Jesus “manifested Himself” to Margaret and the chief features of devotion to the Sacred Heart are “reception of Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month, Eucharistic adoration during a ‘Holy hour’ on Thursdays, and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.”

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is the patron saint of devotees of the Sacred Heart, and those suffering from polio and from the loss of parents. Her feast day is celebrated on October 16.

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?