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How to pray to the Novena
This Novena is to help you prepare for the Feast of the Sacred Heart on Friday, June 23, 2006. You may pray the Novena privately or with others - members of your family, neighbours or friends - over the nine days
Read the scripture meditation slowly, pausing when something strikes you. A prayer takes up the theme of the day, and you end with the Novena Prayer. You may include in it any intention you like to make, for yourself or for others.
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NOVENA PRAYER
TO THE SACRED HEART |
Lord Jesus, your Sacred Heart is always open in love to each of us, and especially when we are suffering. To all who come to you seeking your help, you show your compassion and healing power. You care for us when we are lost, sympathize with us in loneliness, and comfort us in mourning; you are closest to us when we are weakest. You reach out your hand to us when we stumble and have most need of your help. I ask you to listen to my prayer during this Novena, and grant what I ask. (. . . Make your petition now). But if what I ask is not for my own good or that of others, grant me always what is best, that I may build up your kingdom of love in our world. Amen.
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'Come and see.'
(Day 1 - June 15) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Jesus saw them following and said, "What do you want?" They answered, "Rabbi" - which means Teacher - "where do you live?" He replied, "Come and see".' (Jn. 1:38-39).
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| Reflection: |
They knew there was something worth seeing. You don't visit a new city or country unless you have some idea that it's worth it. Visiting Jesus is an exciting moment. You'll find love there, love beyond all telling, and forgiveness beyond all hope. The home of Jesus has an open door; all are invited. The fragrance of the home is fresh, pleasant; a scent you're glad to sense. That home is his Sacred Heart.
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| Memory: |
Remember a time of prayer when you were refreshed and felt close to God. Picture the place and time for a few minutes. Let the refreshment of that time bring you now into the presence of Jesus.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Come and have breakfast.'
(Day 2 - June 16) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was
some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it...
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast".' (Jn. 21:9-12)
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| Reflection: |
An early morning scene, with the risen Lord cooking
the breakfast. It is a homely scene, with the smell of fresh
bread and fish cooking on a charcoal grill, cooked with care and
love. Nobody is forced to join the table, but all are invited.
After being let down, Jesus offers the meal from the beachside
rock of forgiveness.
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| Memory: |
Remember a time when you were nourished by Jesus, either
in prayer or in the Eucharist, atime when being wiht him gave
strength to your body and soul. All that time to strengthen your
faith in him now.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Rest for a while.'
(Day 3 - June 17) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Jesus said to them, "Come away to some lonely place
all by yourselves and rest for a while".' (Mk. 6:31).
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| Reflection: |
This is an invitation to go somewhere new with
Jesus, to leave familiar ground and rest in his love. There's a
fear in us to trust him in illness, in unemployment, and in
those unwanted times. We often prefer to stay behind and be
busy. We are reluctant to open our hearts to him. Resting with
him means listening to God's music, the CD of God's everlasting
love.
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| Memory: |
Refresh your love of God now by remembering a time when
you went off alone to pray for a few hours, maybe, or on
retreat. Be grateful for that time, as you recall it again.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Come over to the other side.'
(Day 4 - June 18) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on
ahead to the other side near Bethsaida'. (Mk. 6:45).
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| Reflection: |
The other side of the lake was where strangers
lived. There's a fear in us of people who are different, whether
in nationality or faith. It's a human fear. Jesus invites us to
go to the other side in trust, knowing that he is there before
us. Nobody is a stranger in his company. He wants us to be open
to all sorts of people, and also to the parts of ourselves from
which we feel estranged.
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| Memory: |
There have been times when we trusted in God, and God
only: times of bad news, illness, danger, or when unnamed fears
threatened. Can you remember some of those times when you felt
held in love? Recall them now with gratitude.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Come, follow me.'
(Day 5 - June 19) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'He saw another pair of brothers ... and he called
them. And at once, leaving the boat and their father, they
followed him' (Mt. 4:21).
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| Reflection: |
The home of Jesus has an open back door, looking on
to the world. He invites us to follow him into the world, to see
it with his eyes, hear it with his ears, love it with his love;
to see everyone as brother and sister, especially the needy. His
love and care reach out to everyone, and with him our love and
care can do the same.
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| Memory: |
Remember times when you answered the call of Jesus to
love anotehr person: when you gave of your love in care,
support, worry or fogiveness, or when you did voluntary work at
home or abroad. The call is often in the simple things. Be
grateful that you did those things.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Go and tell.'
(Day 6 - June 20) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'The angel said to the women,"Go quickly and tell his
disciples, He has risen from the dead".' (Mt. 28:5-7).
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| Reflection: |
If the message of the resurrection is to be heard,
it needs our words. The love we have found with him in his home
and heart is empty until it is shared; unshared love is empty
love. His message is that he is risen, alive after death. It is
a promise to be with us always, a promise of heaven for ever.
All else springs from this source. It is through the risen Lord
that we make all our requests and prayer.
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| Memory: |
Others have shared their faith with you, and through
them it has grown. Parents, grandparents, teachers, friends,
priests, sisters, brothers ... and many others. The seed their
words or deeds planted can still grow. Remember them with
gratitude.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Feed my lambs.'
(Day 7 - June 21) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Jesus said to Simon Peter ... "Feed my lambs ...
Feed my sheep ... Follow me".' (Jn.21:15-19).
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| Reflection: |
This is an invitation to make a difference in the
world. A hungry person feels different after a meal. A
neighbourhood is improved by caring groups. Millions today
hunger for love. Jesus invites us to ordinary love in ordinary
situations; to bring love to the people we meet every day.
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| Memory: |
People who make a difference in our world can raise our
spirits. We know the heart of Jesus beats in them. Be grateful
for the times you have made a difference through your love, even
in small ways.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Go and see.'
(Day 8 - June 22) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'He asked, "How many loaves have you? Go and see".'
(Mk. 6:38).
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| Reflection: |
The apostles recognized that the people were
hungry, and Jesus invited them to do something about it. We can
be blind to the hunger and homelessness of millions, or the
loneliness and needs of people right next to us. When we go to
them, we go with the Lord. His Sacred Heart is wide enough to
embrace all peoples and all needs.
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| Memory: |
Remember a time when your eyes were opened to the
poverty or loneliness of another, or when you winced at the
sufferings caused by war and violence. Remember a time when you
tried to help, through voluntary assistance, or time, or money.
Be grateful for the many people who give generously from what
they have.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart. |
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'Come to me.'
(Day 9 - June 23) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Jesus exclaimed, "Come to me all who labour and are
overburdened, and I will give you rest".' (Mt. 11:28).
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| Reflection: |
Everyone knows the burdens life brings: family
worries, bereavement, hurtful comments, disappointments ... At
those times, Jesus offers us friendship, healing and strength.
He has been through bad times himself. The hand he reaches out
to us is a wounded hand, and his heart is a pierced heart, just
like our own.
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| Memory: |
To end the Novena, remember times in your life when you
knew you were close to God: through prayer, through the
sacraments, or through the kindness of other people. At those
times, Jesus' heart was drawing you into intimacy with God. Be
grateful for the love of Jesus, and ask that you never doubt the
power of that love.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart.
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