Novena in Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

THE FIRST DAY

With the Blessed Virgin, the Seraphim, and the Holy Patriarchs.

Adore often the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament, humble yourself before the infinite majesty of God the Father, and offer continually to Him the purest and most profound homages.

Practice--Renew in your soul the most lively sentiments of respect and adoration for God, and frequently make these acts.

Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart

O Adorable heart of my Jesus, heart created expressly for the love of men! Until now I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, abyss of love and of mercy, how is it possible that I do not die of sorrow when I reflect on Thy goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy blood and Thy life for me; and, not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself up every day for me in the holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages. Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins, and a lively love for Thee. Through Thy tears and Thy blood give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love until I breathe my last sigh. Amen.

THE SECOND DAY

With the Blessed Virgin, the Cherubim, and the Holy Prophets.

Adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which solicits, night and day, the mercy of God in our favour, and incessantly offers itself in sacrifice for the expiation of our sins.

Practice--Recall to your mind, in the bitterness of your soul, the enormity of your sins; implore this Sacred Heart to give you a true contrition for them, and unite the sorrow which you endeavour to conceive with that which our Lord experienced in His adorable Heart.

Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart

O Adorable heart of my Jesus, heart created expressly for the love of men! Until now I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, abyss of love and of mercy, how is it possible that I do not die of sorrow when I reflect on Thy goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy blood and Thy life for me; and, not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself up every day for me in the holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages. Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins, and a lively love for Thee. Through Thy tears and Thy blood give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love until I breathe my last sigh. Amen.

THE THIRD DAY

With the Blessed Virgin, the Thrones, and the Holy Apostles.

Adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, presenting to the Eternal Father our good works and our prayers, and supplying our deficiences towards the infinite Majesty of God.

Practice--Thank God for having given you so powerful a Mediator, and endeavour to conform daily more and more to the sentiments of this Sacred Heart.

Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart

O Adorable heart of my Jesus, heart created expressly for the love of men! Until now I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, abyss of love and of mercy, how is it possible that I do not die of sorrow when I reflect on Thy goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy blood and Thy life for me; and, not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself up every day for me in the holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages. Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins, and a lively love for Thee. Through Thy tears and Thy blood give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love until I breathe my last sigh. Amen.