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Padre Pio recited this novena every day for all those who requested his prayers.

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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.
Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

The Word Among Us

Friday, June 18, 2004

Meditation
Psalm 23

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What a beautiful image to remind us of Jesus’ abundant love for us! On the spiritual level, it was this heart that freely chose to die for us so that we could come back to the Father. And on the physical level, it was this heart that was wounded by a lance and that spilled its blood on the ground so that our wounds could be healed and we could be lifted up from the earth.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is so powerful, and yet it can be far too easy to forget that divine love is still flowing from it. Whether we are housewives or parish priests, business executives or day laborers, we all have demands that can seem overwhelming at times. When we let these demands take center stage, we can lose sight of the fact that Jesus is with us, eager to pour out his love, lift our burdens, and give us joy and hope.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus wants to be with us every step of our journey. He wants to be the shepherd that Psalm 23 describes, staying with us no matter how deep the valley or how oppressive the darkness. He wants to feed us and care for us even when we feel surrounded by enemies.

As lyrical and comforting as this psalm is, it is much more than moving poetry. It is a statement of truth. Jesus really is our Shepherd. He really does want to lead us to a place of rest—to his sacred heart. He’s just waiting for us to surrender to him. Of course we doubt we are good enough for him. Of course we wonder what will happen to us if we give in to him. Of course we fear the unknown. But Jesus knows our weaknesses and our doubts. That’s why he allowed his heart to be pierced in the first place! On this day of mercy and grace, let him show you the depths of his love. Gaze upon his Sacred Heart and let his love melt your heart.

“Thank you, Jesus, for your Sacred Heart. Thank you for loving me so deeply. Come, Lord, and make me your own. Make me into a reflection of your heart to the world.”