FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was established In order to stimulate the faithful to honor with more devotion and zeal, under the symbol of the Sacred Heart, the love of Jesus Christ, which Induced Him not only to suffer and to die for the redemption of mankind, but also to institute the Sacrament of His Body and Blood. Though the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is of great antiquity In the Church, yet it was reserved to the holy St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, of the Order of the Visitation, to make this devotion public.

   During the Octave of Corpus Christi, In the year 1690, our Blessed Lord appeared to His devoted handmaid, and disclosing to her His Heart, said. "Behold this Heart, which, notwithstanding the burning love for man with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no other return from the generality of Christians than sacrilege, contempt, Indifference and ingratitude But what will it avail us to have listened to these so just claims of our Savior, if we are not moved with compassion, and generously resolved to testify our sorrow for our past indifference by honoring His Sacred Heart, and by repairing, as far as lies in our power, the insults to which His ardent desire to dwell with the children of men daily exposes Him in the august Sacrament of His love! If gratitude to the God Who suffered such torments for our salvation, does not Incline us to accept His gracious Invitation, and to rank ourselves among the number of His adorers, at least let the recollection of the many spiritual advantages to be derived from devotion to the Sacred Heart induce us to pray humbly and fervently, that He, Who has Himself declared that It was a last effort of His love for man that Induced Him to discover to them the treasures of His Heart, may infuse into our souls the great gift of true compassion for His Most Sacred Heart.

MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

 Double of the First Class with a Privileged Octave of the 3rd Order / White Vestments

EPISTLE:  Eph. 3. 8-19
Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians.

                                                             [Jesus bestows on us the boundless treasures of His love.]

Brethren: To me, the least of all the Saints, is given grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: and to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things: that the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the Church, according to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strenghened by His Spirit with might unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts: that, being rooted and grounded in charity, you may be able to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth: to know also the charity of Christ which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.

GOSPEL: John 19. 31-37
† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

                                  [The Sacred Heart of Our Lord is opened on the cross by a soldier's lance to manifest to us His love.]

At that time: The Jews (because it was the Parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day (for that was a great Sabbath day) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came: and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that were crucified with Him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers, with a spear opening His side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it, hath given testimony: and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true, that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "You shall not break a bone of Him." And again another Scripture saith: "They shall look upon Him whom they pierced."

http://www.livemass.org/LiveMass/daily.html

http://www.divinumofficium.com/cgi-bin/missa/missa.pl

            Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotions

THE LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

The litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a moving way to express devotion to Our Lord by making reparation through adoration for the offences committed against His Sacred Heart. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a 17th century nun, made devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus best known after He revealed His desire to her in visions that we all acknowledge His tremendous love for us.

The symbolic image of Christ’s heart burning with love for us, even while pierced with the thorns of our indifference and ingratitude, as in the painting above, is also associated with this devotion.

Faithful Catholics around the world show Jesus their love in prayers such as the Litany of the Sacred Heart. Many also visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament in this devotion and receive Holy Communion at Mass on the First Friday of each month in a spirit of reparation for the hostility and indifference he suffers from unrepentant sinners.

The Litany of the Sacred Heart is one of six litanies approved for public use by the Church and is often prayed during First Friday services.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

(Repeat have mercy on us. after each line)

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 offences,

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 takest away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,

Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever.

Amen.

  

INVOCATION

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. 

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

 Thou art my refuge and my sanctuary, 0 my amiable Savior. Consume my heart with that burning fire with which Thine is ever inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Thy love, and let my heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things be conformed to Thine. May Thy divine will be equally the standard and rule of all my desires and of all my actions. Amen. 

FOR THE CHURCH

O most holy Heart of Jesus, shower Thy blessings in abundant measure upon Thy holy Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff and upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance; convert sinners; enlighten unbelievers; bless our relations, friends and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the holy souls in purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.

A PRAYER OF TRUST

O God, who didst in wondrous manner reveal to the virgin, Margaret Mary, the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart, grant that loving Thee, after her example, in all things and above all things, we may in Thy Heart find our abiding home. 

ACT OF LOVE

Reveal Thy Sacred Heart to me, O Jesus, and show me Its attractions. Unite me to It for ever. Grant that all my aspirations and all the beats of my heart, which cease not even while I sleep, may be a testimonial to Thee of my love for Thee and may say to Thee: Yes, Lord, I am all Thine; pledge of my allegiance to Thee rests ever in my heart will never cease to be there. Do Thou accept the slight amount of good that I do and be graciously pleased to repair all m] wrong-doing; so that I may be able to bless Thee in time and in eternity. Amen. 

MEMORARE TO THE SACRED HEART

Remember, O most sweet Jesus, that no one who has had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help, or sought it mercy was ever abandoned. Encouraged with confidence, O tenderest of hearts, we present ourselves before Thee, crushes beneath the weight of our sins. In our misery, O Sacred Hear. of Jesus, despise not our simple prayers, but mercifully grant our requests.

Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

   To Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we devote and offer up our lives, thoughts, words, actions, pains, and sufferings. To Thee, we consecrate our souls and bodies with all their facilities, so that no part of our being may any longer be employed, except in loving, serving, honoring, and glorifying Thee. Be Thou, O Most Sacred Heart, the sole object of our love, the protector of our lives, the pledge of our salvation, and the secure refuge in the hour of our death. Be Thou, also, O Most Bountiful Heart, our justification at the Throne of God, and screen us from His anger, which we have so justly merited.

   In Thee, we place all our confidence; and convinced as we are of our own weakness, we rely entirely on Thy compassionate mercy. Annihilate in us all that is displeasing and offensive to Thy pure eyes. imprint Thyself like a Divine Seal on our hearts, that we may ever remember our obligations, and never be separated from Thee. May our names, we beseech Thee, by Thy tender goodness, ever be fixed and engraved in Thee, O Book of Life, and may we ever be victims consecrated to Thy Glory; ever burning with the flames of Thy Pure Love, and entirely penetrated with it for all eternity. In this, we place all our happiness. It is our desire to live and die in no other quality than that of Thy devoted servant. Amen.

Short Daily Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with Infinite Love, broken by our ingratitude, and pierced by our sins, yet loving us still, accept the consecration we make to Thee of all that we are and all that we have.

   Take every faculty of our souls and bodies, only day by day draw us nearer and nearer to Thy Sacred Heart, and there, as we shall hear the lesson, teach us Thy Holy Way.

Daily Indulgenced Ejaculations to the Sacred Heart

Merciful Jesus, I consecrate myself today and always to Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus I implore, that I may ever love Thee more and more.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy love for me.

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

Sacred Heart of Jesus Thy Kingdom Come.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, deliver the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

_______________________________________________

Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour

Behold at thy feet, O Mother of Perpetual Help, a wretched sinner, who has recourse to thee, and confides in thee. O Mother of mercy, have pity on me. I hear thee called by all the refuge and the hope of sinners: be, then, my refuge and my hope. Assist me, for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth thy hand to a miserable fallen creature, who recommends himself to thee, and who devotes himself to thy service for ever. I bless and thank almighty God, Who in mercy has given me this confidence in thee, which I hold to be a pledge of my eternal salvation. It is true that in the past I have miserably fallen into sin, because I had not recourse to thee. I know that, with thy help, I shall conquer; I know, too, that thou wilt assist me, if only I recommend myself to thee. But I fear, dearest Mother, that in time of danger I may neglect to call on thee, and thus lose my soul. This grace, then, I ask of thee, and this I beg, with all the fervor of my soul, that, in all attacks of hell, I may ever have recourse to thee. O Mary, help me! O Mother of Perpetual Help! Never suffer me to lose my God!

(3 Hail Marys)

Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori

    Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin and my Mother, Mary, to thee, Who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the world, the Advocate, the Hope, and the Refuge of sinners, I have recourse today. I who am the most miserable of all. I render thee my most humble homage, O Great Queen, and I thank thee for all the graces thou has obtained for me until now, and in particular for having saved me from hell which I have so often deserved. I love thee, O most Amiable Lady; and, for the love which I bear thee, I promise to serve thee always and do all in my power to make others also love thee. I place in thee all my hopes and I confide my salvation to thy care. Accept me for thy servant and receive me under thy mantle, O Mother of Mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or, rather, obtain for me the strength to triumph over them until death. Of thee I ask a perfect love for Jesus Christ; through thee I hope to die a good death. O my Mother, by the love which thou bearest to God, I beseech thee to help me at all times but especially at the last moment of my life. Leave me not, I beseech thee, until thou seest me safe in heaven, blessing thee and singing thy mercies for all eternity. Amen, so I hope; so may it be.