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How to pray to the Novena
This Novena is to help you prepare for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, 15 June , 2007. 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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(Day 1 - June 7) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.' (Jn. 1:1,3)
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| Reflection: |
Of all the things that God has made, which one most amazes me? The mystery of the cosmos? Some little everyday thing? Whatever it is, it came to be through the Word of God. And all the greatness of that Word is contained in the Heart of Jesus.
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| Prayer: |
Jesus, you are my God; through you everything was made: the sun and the stars, and even me. But you aren't aloof and far away from me. You are closer to me than my closest friend, and you'll never let me down. I adore you, my God and my friend.
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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(Day 2 - June 8) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not burnt up.' (Ex. 3:2)
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| Reflection: |
Can I imagine God as a burning fire in the way he appeared to Moses? How would that seem? Warm and consoling? Or something scary and threatening? Let me spend a moment imagining the heart of Jesus on fire for me.
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| Prayer: |
Lord, allow me to come close to the fire of your love without being too afraid or too presumptuous. May the Spirit light fires of love in me that will be flames of hope for other people.
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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(Day 3 - June 9) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink,' said Jesus. 'Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within him.' (Jn. 7:37-38)
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| Reflection: |
Rivers of living water flowing out of my poor little heart? That can't be so! And yet, I believe in Jesus, don't I? 'Whoever believes in me,' he says. So then, what does he mean? How might this living water flow out of me? Let me ask Jesus to explain it to me.
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| Prayer: |
Lord, I am thirsty, in my own particular way. I come to you as part of the Church that you nourish and fill with grace. Help me to live with confidence in you, and let my heart be a fountain of living water, just as you promised.
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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(Day 4 - June 10) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which will be given up for you. Do this in memory of me.' (Lk. 22:19)
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| Reflection: |
What impact do Jesus' words, 'which will be given up for you', have on me? What was in his heart as he initiated the Eucharist? Was there a place in his heart for us? - for me?
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| Prayer: |
Lord Jesus, it's through the Eucharist more than any other way that you give yourself to the world. Help us, who are privileged to receive Christ in the Eucharist, to reveal him to the world - in memory of him.
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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(Day 5 - June 11) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
Jesus exclaimed, 'Come to me all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.' (Mt. 11:28-30)
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| Reflection: |
What burden am I - or those I love - labouring under right now? What particular lessons might Jesus be trying to teach me? Patience? Humility? Trust? Am I ready to learn from the one who is 'meek and humble of heart'?
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| Prayer: |
I will come to you, just as you ask, Lord, for I believe that you are working for my good in every single thing. I entrust my whole life to you. With you as my teacher, my soul will find rest.
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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(Day 6 - June 12) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
A sinful woman in the city who learned he was at table stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them and anointed them. (Lk. 7:37-38)
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| Reflection: |
How did Jesus look on this poor sinful woman, weeping at his feet? What is he really like with people who are weak and miserable? How did the woman feel when she left the house that evening? What might this say to me?
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| Prayer: |
Jesus, I come to you now, just as I am. I know that you are waiting for me with a loving welcome. Forgive me my sins and heal me.
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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(Day 7 - June 13) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. (Ex. 36:26)
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| Reflection: |
On one occasion, St Margaret Mary felt that Jesus took her heart and placed it in his own heart for a short time. After that she felt something of the fire of his love in her heart. Will I allow the Lord to give me a new heart?
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| Prayer: |
Father, with his heart of flesh, your Son Jesus shows your infinite love for the human race, especially for those who are suffering. Help us to show a special love for our neighbours who are in trouble of any kind.Father, with his heart of flesh, your Son Jesus shows your infinite love for the human race, especially for those who are suffering. Help us to show a special love for our neighbours who are in trouble of any kind.
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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(Day 8 - June 14) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
Jesus then said to the Twelve, 'Do you also want to leave?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the word of eternal life. We have come to believe and we know that you are the Holy One of God'. (Jn. 6:67-69)
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| Reflection: |
As some disciples begin to turn away from him, how does Jesus feel? Doesn't he seem to 'need' them on some level? Do I imagine that he might miss me when I turn away and ignore him? Where, or in what way, is Jesus waiting for my love?
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| Prayer: |
Lord Jesus, just like the Twelve I hear the words, 'Do you also want to leave?' And I say, along with Peter, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'
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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(Day 9 - June 15) How to pray to the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (Jn. 19:33-34)
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| Reflection: |
When I see the heart of Jesus pierced with a lance, how does it move me? Horror? Consolation? Confusion? What message do I take from it for my life? What is God saying to me as I contemplate this scene?
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| Prayer: |
Jesus, you fill me with wonder. You go 'too far' in your love for me. You keep absolutely nothing back for yourself, because that is how you are. Help me to open my small little heart in love for you and for my neighbours.
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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