Category: SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Nine – 18 June

Thank You, Jesus!

Today’s Scripture
Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean?   But the other nine, where are they?   Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ … Luke 17: 17-18

Reflection for the Ninth Day
Did you know that in the Old Testament the word ‘praise’ has only one object – God!
In the psalms, to praise is to live, not praising is the same as not living, not living the life which is God’s gift, to be returned in praise.
A Jewish rabbi has written, ‘It is difficult to feel depressed when you remember fairly constantly, that life is a gift.  Faith teaches us to make a blessing over life.   Making a blessing over life, is the best way of turning life into a blessing.’

Today’s Prayer
I want to say ‘thank You, Jesus’
for these nine days of prayer,
of talking and listening to You, more closely than usual.
Thank You, especially for all the things in my life
that I take for granted everyday,
forgetting, that they are pure gifts.
Most of all, I thank You for the gift of faith
and for making me one of Your own sheep,
within the folds of Your Church,
our Holy Mother, the Catholic Church.

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us most, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love, in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need Your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer the Novena by St Alphonsus, go here:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/22/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-nine-22-june/

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Eight – 17 June

Peace Be With You!

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’   They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.   He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened and why do doubts arise in your hearts?   Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself.   Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ … Luke 24: 36-39

Reflection for the Eighth Day
Peace;  Look;  Listen;  Go!   Jesus greets the apostles with that soothing word, ‘Shalom’ (Peace) – it means I wish you the fullness of well-being of mind and body and soul.   He then invites them to look at His hands and side.   He encourages them to listen to what the scriptures say about Him and then to go and preach the Good News, that He is Risen.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, You see my poverty
and You love me better than I can love myself.
Supply my wants according to Your mercy.
Help me to accept Your will,
without seeking to understand.
Help me to resign myself entirely
and absolutely to You
and thus, I shall have Your peace.
Amen

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us mos, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer the Novena by St Alphonsus, go here:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/21/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-eight-21-june/

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Seven – 16 June

What Strange Friends You Have, O Lord!

Today’s Scripture
“But I say to you listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” … Luke 6: 27-28

Reflection for the Seventh Day
You know the old saying, ‘Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are’ ?
Well, Jesus had the strangest set of friends Levi (a hated tax-collector), Simon the Zealot (a revolutionary), women in prostitution and other ‘public sinners.’
Maybe I’m not such bad company for Jesus, after all.
Just remember, they all repented upon meeting Jesus!

Today’s Prayer
Jesus, You once said,
‘I’ve come not to call the virtuous but sinners to repentance.’
During Your apostolate, You sat and ate with sinners.
This practice of Yours gives me great hope
that Your love, will bid me welcome too!
And, You will help me to be holy!
Amen

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us mos, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer the Novena by St Alphonsus, go here:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/20/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-seven-20-june/

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Six – 15 June

Honesty in Prayer

Today’s Scripture
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.   Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother.   When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home.   Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.   But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’   Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ … John 11:17-24

Reflection for the Sixth Day
St Ignatius Loyola said that we should always speak to Jesus in prayer just as one close friend would speak to another.
Don’t be afraid to express your real feelings to Jesus – anger, hurt, joy, sorrow, etc.
When you’ve made your complaint or expressed your joy, don’t forget one thing Listen for God’s response!
It may come in surprising ways.
If, you concentrate on Him all day, at every task, you will hear Him!

Today’s Prayer
Jesus, I have to be honest and tell You,
that there have been times when I’ve been angry with You
and I feel that You’ve let me down.
Help me to trust
that You really do have a loving plan for me
and for everyone,
a plan that most times I find hard to fathom.
I love and trust You Lord,
help me to love and trust You more each day!
Amen

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us mos, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer the Novena by St Alphonsus, go here:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/19/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-six-19-june/

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Five – 14 June

Has no-one condemned you?

Today’s Scripture
Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they?   Has no-one condemned you?’   She said, ‘No-one, sir.’   And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you.   Go your way and from now on do not sin again.’… John 8:10-11

Reflection for the Fifth Day
I read something recently which went like this:  ‘You do not have to be good before God will love you, you do not have to repent before you will be absolved by God.   It is all the other way around.   If you are good, it is because God’s love has already made you so, if you want to be forgiven, that is because God is forgiving you because you want to be forgiven!’

Today’s Prayer
Jesus, as I reflect upon Your Sacred Heart,
help me to have a deep felt knowledge
that You long to forgive my sins.
Your Sacred Heart is love made visible.
I need to love Your love and repent and repair.

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us mos, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer St Alphonsus’ Novena go here for Day Five:  https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/18/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-five-18-june/

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Four – 13 June

How Do We Look at Each Other?

Today’s Scripture
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing;  go, sell what you own and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’   When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. … Mark 10: 21-22

Reflection for the Fourth Day
A Dominican theologian once wrote, ‘A person is enlightened not when they get an idea but when someone looks at them.’   How we look at another has tremendous consequences for self-esteem.   The Sacred Heart looks at each one of us with deep love, understanding and compassion.   We are called to look at others in the same way.

Today’s Prayer
Jesus,
You looked at the rich young man with love
and yet, he could not respond to Your call.
Help our prayer, to become,
our looking at You looking at us
and smiling with love,
so that we will not run
from the love that You offer.

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us mos, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Three – 12 June

When I find Prayer difficult.

Today’s Scripture
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.   And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints, according to the will of God.   We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. …Romans 8: 26-28

Reflection for the Third Day
St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) once said, that love was her vocation in life. Never was this vocation tested more than in the last nine months of her life, as she lay dying with tuberculosis. She wrote a note to her sister Céline
‘Here is great love, to love Jesus without feeling the sweetness of His love – that is love, pushed to the point of heroism.’

Today’s Prayer
Jesus, I believe.
Help my unbelief.
Jesus, You are the real bedrock of my hope.
Help me always to rely on You,
especially in times of doubt and trouble.
For in You, I live and move and have my being!

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us mos, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguori – below is Day Three:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/16/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-three-16-june/

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day Two – 11 June

What Does God Desire?

Today’s Scripture
‘So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks, receives
and everyone who seeks, finds
and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. … Luke 11: 9-10

Reflection for the Second Day
St Augustine said, ‘For yourself you have made us, O Lord and our hearts are restless, until they rest in you.’
I love a change a modern theologian has made in those lines – he writes: ‘Your heart is restless, until we rest in you.’
Our God is vulnerable to our free response.
He waits for our love.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, I come to You full of needs.
But my deepest need,
is to become more convinced of Your love for me.
Help me to believe
that You are with me today,
tomorrow and always
because, You love me!
Amen

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning;
You are closest to us where we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least;
You forgive us mos, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need your help
and when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention silently.)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguori – below is Day Two:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/15/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-two-15-june/

Novena in Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Day One

What do You Desire?

Today’s Scripture
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples and, as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’   The two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus. … John 1: 35-3

Reflection for the First Day
Jesus addresses the same question to you at the beginning of this novena
‘What do you want?’
St Augustine said that all our desires are really a longing for God in disguise, where there is real desire, there is prayer.   So, be at peace in your desire, you are already praying!

Today’s Prayer
Lord, I come to You at the start of this Novena
with a muddle of desires.
Give me courage,
to listen to what You want to say to me
and give me the strength
to accept Your loving desires for me and for my loved ones.

Daily Invocation
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus,
the needs of Your people open Your heart in love for each of us.
You care for us when we are lost,
sympathise with us in loneliness
and comfort us in mourning.
You are closest to us, when we are weakest.
You love us most, when we love ourselves least.
You forgive us most, when we forgive ourselves least
and You call us to spread Your love, in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, Your heart is moved with compassion
when we are suffering,
when we need Your help
and, when we pray for each other.
I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena
and grant what I ask.
…………………………. (Mention your intention)
If what I ask, is not for my own good and the good of others,
grant me what is best,
that I may build up Your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen

If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguori – below is Day One:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/14/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-one-14-june/