8. The Church has always valued, and still does, the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus so highly that she provides for the spread of it among Christian peoples everywhere and by every means. At the same time she uses every effort to protect it against the charges of so-called “naturalism” and “sentimentalism.” In spite of this it is much to be regretted that, both in the past and in our own times, this most noble devotion does not find a place of honor and esteem among certain Christians and even occasionally not among those who profess themselves moved by zeal for the Catholic religion and the attainment of holiness. …
10. For even though the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has triumphed so to speak, over the errors and the neglect of men, and has penetrated entirely His Mystical Body; still there are some of Our children who, led astray by prejudices, sometimes go so far as to consider this devotion ill-adapted, not to say detrimental, to the more pressing spiritual needs of the Church and humanity in this present age. There are some who, confusing and confounding the primary nature of this devotion with various individual forms of piety which the Church approves and encourages but does not command, regard this as a kind of additional practice which each one may take up or not according to his own inclination. …
14. … Who would be so bold as to call that devotion useless and inappropriate to our age which Our predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII, declared to be “the most acceptable form of piety?” …
15. … [Likewise, Pius XI in the] encyclical letter [Miserentissimus Redemptor (8 May 1928)] wrote: “Is not a summary of all our religion and, moreover, a guide to a more perfect life contained in this one devotion? Indeed, it more easily leads our minds to know Christ the Lord intimately and more effectively turns our hearts to love Him more ardently and to imitate Him more perfectly.”
— Pius XII, Haurietis aquas (15 May 1956)
Padre Pio recited this novena every day for all those who requested his prayers.
Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of… (Mention your Intention Here)
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of…(Mention your Intention Here)
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.” Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of…(Mention your Intention Here)
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
– O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.
– Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
– St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
Amen.
– St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
More About the Sacred Heart Devotion
… [W]hen we pray this novena together, we are praying that we can transform ourselves to love as Jesus Christ does — as St. Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote, “Since love makes lovers one in likeness, if we love, let us model our lives on His.”
There are a couple of different versions of this novena, but the one we’re using is one that has been attributed to St. Margaret Mary — after Jesus appeared to her on many occasions, and explained to her the devotion to His Heart.
Jesus also made 12 specific promises to those who would honor His Sacred Heart:
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I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
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I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided.
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I will console them in all their troubles.
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I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
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I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises.
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Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
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Tepid souls shall become fervent.
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Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection.
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I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy in them all disordered movements.
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I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
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Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.
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I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence: they will not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
… To receive the promises Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary, there are a few requirements:
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Receiving Communion Frequently
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Going to Confession and receiving the Eucharist on the first Friday of each month, for nine consecutive months. (If it isn’t offered at your parish, you can go privately to Confession & offer your prayers for the Holy Father’s intentions).
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Celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
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