Meditation, Novena and Offering to the Sacred Heart

 

Meditation, Novena and Offering to the Sacred Heart


Meditation
Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as we know it, began about the year 1672. On repeated occasions, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, in France, and during these apparitions He explained to her the devotion to His Sacred Heart as He wanted people to practice it. he asked to be honored in the symbol of His Heart of flesh; he asked for acts of reparation, for frequent Communion, Communion on the First Friday of the month, and the keeping of the Holy Hour.

When the Catholic Church approved the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she did not base her action only on the visions of Saint Margaret Mary. The Church approved the devotion on its own merits. There is only one Person in Jesus, and that Person was at the same time God and Man. His Heart, too, is Divine -- it is the Heart of God.

There are two things that must always be found together in the devotion to the Sacred Heart: Christ's Heart of flesh and Christ's love for us. True devotion to the Sacred Heart means devotion to the Divine Heart of Christ insofar as His Heart represents and recalls His love for us.

In honoring the Heart of Christ, our homage lingers on the Person of Jesus in the fullness of His love. This love of Christ for us was the moving force of all he did and suffered for us -- in Nazareth, on the Cross, in giving Himself in the Blessed Sacrament, in His teaching and healing, in His praying and working. When we speak of the Sacred Heart, we mean Jesus showing us His Heart, Jesus all love for us and all lovable.

Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God's infinite love. The Human Nature which the Son of God took upon Himself was filled with love and kindness that has never found an equal. He is the perfect model of love of God and neighbor.

Every day of His life was filled with repeated proofs of 'Christ's love that surpasses all knowledge' (Eph 3:19). Jesus handed down for all time the fundamental feature of His character: 'Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart' (Mt 11:29). He invited all, refusing none, surprising friends and rivals by His unconditional generosity.

The meaning of love in the life of Jesus was especially evident in His sufferings. Out of love for His Father He willed to undergo the death of the Cross. 'The world must know that I love the Father and do just as the Father has commanded Me' (Jn 14:31).

The love that Jesus bore toward us also urged Him to undergo the death of the Cross. At the Last Supper, He said, ;There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends' (Jn 15:13)

The Heart of Jesus never ceases to love us in heaven. He sanctifies us through the Sacraments. These are inexhaustible fountains of grace and holiness which have their source in the boundless ocean of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Novena Prayer
Divine Jesus, You have said, 'Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.' Behold me kneeling at Your feet, filled with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by Your Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. I come to ask this favor: Mention your request).

To whom can I turn if not to You, Whose Heart is the source of all graces and merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all the riches of Your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the door through which God gives Himself to us and through which we go to God? I have recourse to You, Heart of Jesus. In You I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened with trials, and light in doubt and darkness.

Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that You can grant me the grace I implore, even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of Your favors, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercy, and You will not refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of You, and Your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a reason for granting my prayer.

Sacred Heart, whatever may be Your decision with regard to my request, I will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving You. My Jesus, be pleased to accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of Your adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all Your creatures forever.

Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore You through the Immaculate Heart of Your most sorrowful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her child, and her prayers are all-powerful with You. Amen.

Offering
My God, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Your favors, in reparation for my sins, and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the needs of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory.

Prayer To Lady, Undoer Of Knots

Prayer To  Lady, Undoer Of Knots

O Virgin Mary,

Mother who never refuses to come to the help of your children in need,

Mother whose hands never stop working for the welfare of your children,

moved as they are by the loving mercy and kindness that exists in your Immaculate Heart,

cast your compassionate and merciful eyes on me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life.

Oh Mother! You know the difficulties, sorrow and pain that I’ve had because of them.

O loving Mother, I place the ribbon of my life and this knot (these knots) into your loving hands,

hands which can undo even the most difficult knot.

Most holy Mother, come to my aid and intercede for me before God with your prayers.

I cast this knot into your hands (mention your intention/need) and beg you to undo it,

in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, and for the glory of God, once and for all.

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for us!

 

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

 

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially... (special intention).

We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.
Amen.

An Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Pope Pius XII

A Solemn Act  of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Author: Venerable Pope Pius XII

Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.

Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.

We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.

Amen.

The Daily Offering to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The Daily Offering to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and suffering of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.

I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sins, the reunion of all Christians;

I offer them for the intentions of our Bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

Prayer By Saint Padre Pio On the Agony of Our Lord Jesus Christ

THIS PRAYER IS TAKEN FROM ST. PIO WRITING ABOUT THE AGONY OF OUR LORD JESUS!

“O, my Jesus. When my weak nature rebels against all the ills that threaten

it, give me strength so I may, with love, accept the pain and distress of this

life in exile. I adhere with all my strength to Thy merits, Thy sufferings, Thy

expiation, and Thy tears so I may work with Thee in the work of redemption

and so I may have the strength to flee from sin, the sole cause of Thy agony,

of Thy bloody sweat, and Thy death.

“Destroy in me all that displeases Thee and with the fire of Thy sacred love,

imprint on my heart all Thy sufferings. Kiss me so intimately, with such a

strong and tender embrace, that I shall never abandon Thee to Thy cruel

torments.

“I ask but one repose on Thy Heart. I desire but one thing — to share in Thy

divine Agony. May my soul be intoxicated by Thy Blood and be nourished

by the bread of Thy suffering! Amen. ”

“O, Saint Margaret Mary! thou whom the Sacred Heart of Jesus hast

made a participator of His divine treasures we implore thee to obtain

all the graces we stand in need of from that adorable Heart.

“We ask them of Him with a confidence that has no limit. May the

divine Heart vouchsafe to grant them to us through thy intercession so

that He may once more be glorified and loved through thee. Amen.

Memorial of Our Lady of Angels August 2

 August 2, 2021 

Memorial of Our Lady of Angels, Assisi, Italy (13th Century)

Our Lady of Angels, or of the Portiuncula, is located six hundred yards from the city of Assissium, in Italy. It was a desolate locality, and apparently an unsettled one where robbers and the lawlessness flourished, for the Benedictines who had lived at the monastery felt it was too hazardous to remain there. They abandoned the monastery, relocating to Mount Subasio, which was a fortified monastery.

The original chapel is thought to date from the 4th Century, and was built by holy hermits who had come from the Valley of Josaphat. It is said that they brought relics of the Blessed Virgin with them to the region when they constructed the chapel.

The history of the feast is inspiring. St. Francis of Assisi, in the early days of his conversion, while he was still uncertain as to what path to pursue, was praying earnestly for enlightenment before the crucifix at the Church of San Damiano, when he heard within him the command of the Crucified: "Build up my house, for it is nearly falling down." Taking the words literally, Francis began to restore San Damiano and other dilapidated churches in and near Assisi. The most famous of these was the church of Our Lady of the Angels.

Some time after the restoration of this little chapel, an angel told St. Francis to come to the Church of Our Lady of Angels, or Portiuncula. There he found Our Lord, His Blessed Mother, and the Angels waiting for him. Our Lord commended Francis because of his zeal for the salvation of souls, and promised to grant him whatever he should ask in behalf of sinners. St. Francis asked for this great favor: that all those who came to this church to pray and, truly sorry for their sins, confessed them, should "Obtain in perpetuity a plenary indulgence" so that they would have nothing to account for when God called them. This was the great favor he asked, but Our Lord granted it to him through Mary.

When Saint Francis came upon the little, run down and abandoned chapel of Our Lady of Angels, or Santa Maria degli Angelis, in the year 1208, it was almost completely hidden in shrubs and brush. Saint Francis entered the hidden church, which measured only twenty-two feet by thirteen feet, and saw the ancient fresco that had been placed above the main altar. It was an image of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin surrounded by angels. Some say that this is why the chapel was named Our Lady of Angels, although there are also legends that angels could often be heard singing there.

Reference: https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/our-lady-of-angels.html

Photo: www.google.com

Say this prayer to the Holy Spirit for a Special Favor

 

Prayer to the Holy Spirit for a Special Favor

O HOLY SPIRIT, Thou art the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity! Thou art the Spirit of truth, love and holiness, proceeding from the Father and the Son, and equal to Them in all things! I adore Thee and love Thee with all my heart. Teach me to know and to seek God, by whom and for whom I was created. Fill my heart with a holy fear and a great love of Him. Give me compunction and patience, and do not let me fall into sin.

Increase in me faith, hope and charity, and bring forth in me all the virtues proper to my state of life. Help me to grow in the four cardinal virtues, Thy seven Gifts and Thy twelve Fruits.

 Make me a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, an obedient child of the Church, and a help to my neighbor. Give me the grace to keep the Commandments and to receive the Sacraments worthily. Raise me to holiness in the state of life to which Thou hast called me, and lead me through a happy death to everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Grant me also, O Holy Spirit, Giver of all good gifts, the special favor for which I ask (name it), if it be for Thy honor and glory and for my well-being.

Glory be to the Father and, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 

Amen

Say this prayer to honor Mary

The Angelus is a special prayer recited by Catholics three times a day, at 6am, noon, and 6pm and is accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell. The name comes from the Latin word for Angel and the prayer itself reminds us of how Jesus Christ assumed our human nature through the Mystery of the Incarnation.

 THE ANGELUS 

In the name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary ...

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word.

Hail Mary ...

V. And the Word was made flesh,

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary ...

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your Grace into our hearts;

that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and Cross + be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen

Say this Prayer to Jesus in front of a Crucifix as an Act of Contrition

 

Act of Contrition In Front Of The Crucifix

My Jesus, by the pain You did endure when Your Left hand was pierced with the nail, give me true sorrow for my sins.

My Jesus, by the pain You did endure when Your right hand was pierced with the nail, give me perseverance in Your grace.

My Jesus, by the pain You did endure when Your left foot was pierced with the nail, deliver me from the pains of hell. My Jesus, by the pain You did endure when

Your right foot was pierced with the nail, give me the grace to love You eternally in heaven. My Jesus, by the wound that was made in Your Sacred Heart, give me the grace to love You always in this life and in the next. Have mercy on us, Jesus, our Love. Pray for us, Mary, our hope.

Amen

St. Alphonsus Liguori