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How to Pray the Novena
This novena is for the nine days leading to the Feast of the Sacred Heart, beginning on 23 June and finishing on 1 July, the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
You may pray the novena privately or in the family, in a religious community or with your neighbours or friends.
If you are praying it with others, a different person may lead the novena each day, or you may share the parts among the group.
Read the scripture and the meditation slowly, pausing when something strikes you. A short prayer takes up the theme of the day, and you end with the Novena Prayer (on the right of this web page) .
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NOVENA PRAYER (to be said each day)
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Lord Jesus, the needs of your people open your heart in love to 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; 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 (make your request silently). If what I ask is not for my own good and the good of others, grant me always what is best for me, that I may build up your kingdom of love in our world. Amen.
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Thursday 23 June - Light of the World How to pray the Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Jesus stopped and said to the disciples, Call the blind man here. So, throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and went to Jesus' (Mk.10:49-51).
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| Meditation: |
In one sense, Bartimaeus may be regarded as unfortunate because he is blind, but, in another sense, he is really blessed. For he knows how to wait, he knows how to listen, and he knows what he wants.
He responds immediately when Jesus calls him, and in that gesture of trust his sight is restored to him. His faith enables him to recognise Jesus, and gives him the power to see things as Jesus sees them.
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| Prayer: |
Come to me, Jesus, and let your light shine upon me. Take away the sinfulness that darkens my vision. Take away the selfishness that dulls my heart. Come to me, Jesus, and open my eyes, so that I may see you in all things, and see all things in you.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Friday 24 June - A Forgiving Heart How to pray the Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Father, forgive them; they don't know what they are doing' (Lk.23:34).
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| Meditation: |
We really don't know what we are doing when we allow ourselves to get caught up in violence. Nor do we know what we are doing when we refuse forgiveness to those who have offended us. In silent love Jesus absorbs the insults of his enemies. In patient love he absorbs their hatred. By seeking forgiveness from his Father, he transforms evil into good and makes it possible for us to live as children of God.
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| Prayer: |
Reach out, Jesus, and touch my sinful soul. Heal the hurts that close my heart and take away the hatred that hardens it. Free my limbs from the shackles of resentment and open my arms in forgiveness to all those who have offended me.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Saturday 25 June - A Listening Heart How to pray the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find' (Lk.11:9).
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| Meditation: |
The greatest pain in any relationship is the pain of loveless silence. If our feelings are not acknowledged, if our needs are not recognised, if our voice is not heard, if our opinions are not regarded as important, we are in danger of being condemned to a life of loneliness and of being left feeling worthless. Jesus urges us to talk to him in prayer and he commits himself to listen. He cares for us; he hears our cries for help; and, sooner or later, he always responds in the best way for us. All we need is the patience to wait.
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| Prayer: |
Thank you, Lord, for being there for me. I know that you listen. I know that you understand. Calm my fearful heart and let me know that you are close. Even a word will do. Or a touch of your hand. Or a glimpse of your face. Just some little sign of your presence.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Sunday 26 June - The Peace of Christ How to pray the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Peace I leave you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give' (Jn.14:27).
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| Meditation: |
The peace of Christ can never be imposed from without nor can it ever be sustained by force. It is not just an absence of enmity nor is it a mere cessation of hostility. It is not just a flower that blossoms in prosperity. It is a deep-rooted plant that survives in times of hardship.
The peace of Christ is a gift of God, given to those who seek it, and strengthened by those who share it. It is the blessing of a good conscience that brings happiness to the individual. It is the union of minds and hearts that gives life to any community.
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| Prayer: |
Lord, still my restless heart and let me be an instrument of your peace. May the peace of Christ unite us all and reign in all the troubled quarters of our world.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Monday 27 June - A Helping Hand How to pray the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Come to me, all you who labour and are over-burdened, and I will give you rest' (Mt.11.28).
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| Meditation: |
A burden shared is a burden lightened. Jesus opens his arms to welcome all those who are exhausted by the pace of life, or wearied by the weight of their responsibilities, or tortured by an abiding feeling of inadequacy. He reaches out in friendship to those who are discouraged by the failures of the past or worried about the uncertainties of the future. And he offers the consolation of his companionship to those who labour under a heavy burden of illness, or endure the hidden pain of loneliness, or suffer the cruel humiliation of rejection.
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| Prayer: |
Stay with me, Jesus, when I stumble in the darkness. Stay with me when I find it hard to keep going. Hold me when I am tempted to lose heart.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Tuesday 28 June - The Bread of Life How to pray the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me, and I live in them' (Jn.6:54,56).
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| Meditation: |
In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to us personally and gives us the power to live as he lives and to love as he loves. In the Eucharist, too, Jesus comes to us, not alone, but with the poor, the oppressed, the starving of the earth. Through him, they are looking to us for help, for justice, for love expressed in action. We cannot receive the bread of life properly unless, at the same time, we give bread for life to those in need, wherever and whoever they may be.
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| Prayer: |
Lord, I open my arms in welcome to receive you into my life. Let me open my hands in love to share your gift with others.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Wednesday 29 June - Source of Hope How to pray the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Some of those who were there said to one another indignantly: Why this waste? But Jesus said, What she has done for me is good. She has done what she was able to do' (Mk.14:5,6,8).
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| Meditation: |
Jesus rejoices as his enemies fume in anger. Where they see evil, he sees goodness. He praises the woman who annointed him, because 'she did what she was able to do.' Jesus believes in small beginnings. He believes in the power of the mustard seed. Hope is weakened when we expect too much from ourselves and let ourselves be intimidated by impossible ideals. Hope is strengthened when we focus on what is possible and do what we are able to do, here and now.
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| Prayer: |
Lord, give me peace in my heart for today. Give me hope in my heart for tomorrow. And give me love in my heart for ever.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Thursday 30 June - Comforter of the Afflicted How to pray the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Blessed are those who mourn; they shall be comforted' (Mt.5:5).
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| Meditation: |
Once we are united with Christ in grace, we are united with him in his suffering. And when we share in his suffering, we are destined to share in his glory. Jesus looks on those who mourn as blessed, because they feel the pain of things. They are sensitive to the suffering caused by injustice. They are shocked by the inhumanity of violence. They are saddened by the destruction of our environment. And they are truly sorry for their sins.
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| Prayer: |
Lord, give me the courage to stand by your cross with Mary. Stay with me in my sorrow and keep me faithful to you always.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer. |
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Friday 1 July - Friend of the Poor How to pray the
Novena
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| Scripture: |
'Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven' (Mt.5:3).
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| Meditation: |
'The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' Jesus' experience of poverty - in his birth, life and death - places him on the side of the poor. He has a special affection for those who live in destitution. He remains close to those who live on slender means. And he includes in his love those who endure the radical poverty of struggling with uncertainty and coping with insecurity.
Jesus regards the poor as blessed, when they are freed from the temptations of embitterment and despair, and are led by the Spirit to discover their need for God and God's love for them.
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| Prayer: |
Teach me, Lord, to live simply and to love your poor. Let me always value people for who they are, and never for what they have or what they do.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
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| End: |
Say the Novena Prayer.
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