Beginning on June 15, we invite those involved in and those who care for Catholic Education in the province of Ontario to pray together for nine days in preparation for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us find our sure comfort and rest in the Sacred Heart of Christ’s love for each and every one of us.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are part of our longstanding tradition in the Church. A novena is an ancient form of prayer in the Catholic tradition consisting of nine consecutive days of prayer leading up to a particular feast day where a particular blessing or grace is sought.
We have provided each day’s theme and prayer for you below, and the full prayer document is available to view on the Institute of Catholic Education website.
Wednesday, June 15
WE TAKE COMFORT IN YOU, O LORD
On this day, before our Novena begins, we think of Psalm 31. This psalm reminds us how strong God’s love is and how safe and loved we feel when we rest in and with God. Over the next nine days our prayers will focus on the heart of Jesus – his Sacred Heart. We will remember his great love for us. The love of God is secure like a rock and strong like a fortress. Jesus’ heart is full of the love of God for us. His love is a comfort to us.
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me. Let your heart take comfort, All who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31: 1, 3, 7, 21, 24)
Thursday, June 16
WE PRAY AS YOU TAUGHT US
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
Jesus said, “Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace to live and forgive as you taught us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, June 17
WE REMEMBER THAT YOUR LOVE IS OUR GREATEST TREASURE
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, … but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace of knowing that your love is our greatest treasure and helps us to love others.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Saturday, June 18
WE TRUSTE IN YOU, O LORD
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace not to worry but to love and serve you and to trust in you.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sunday, June 19
YOU GIVE US YOUR VERY BODY AND BLOOD TO STRENGTHEN US
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
For there were about five thousand men… And taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace of thankful hearts, especially for the gift of your body and blood in the Eucharist.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Monday, June 20
JUDGEMENT BELONGS TO GOD, NOT US
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.”
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace never to judge others.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tuesday, June 21
YOU GIVE US THE GOLDEN RULE
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace to live by the Golden Rule.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wednesday, June 22
TEACH US, O LORD, TO FOLLOW YOU
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace to learn more every day about how to follow you, Jesus.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thursday, June 23
YOU CALL US TO ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. …He will turn many to the Lord their God … and make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace to be like John the Baptist and announce the Good News that you have come to save us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, June 24
YOUR LOVE HAS BEEN POURED INTO OUR HEARTS
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O my Jesus, I place my trust in you.
Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Encouraged by your words we now ask for the grace of your
Holy Spirit we can show others your love.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.