Beginning on June 7, 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.
During Catholic Education Week 2023, we celebrated that we are many and we are one. Our provincial symposium reminded us that we are also all "On the Way!" Together, on the journey, we pray!
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 7
WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN YOU, LORD... ON THE WAY
On this day, before our Novena begins, we think of Psalm 25. This psalm reminds us how we place our trust in God – to teach us, guide us, love us, and save us. 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. Even when our heart is worried or troubled, we can trust in God’s love because we have seen the love of his Son, Jesus. We will pray today in preparation for the novena using the words of Psalm 25.
Let us pray +
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Blessed be the Lord, according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. (Psalm 25: 1-2A, 4-6, 7B)
Amen.
Thursday, June 8
YOU CALL US TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBOUR... ON THE WAY
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing
with one another, and seeing that he answered them
well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of
all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us when we forget the importance of loving God and loving others.
Knowing we are together on the way, we now ask for the grace to love God and others as you taught us, Jesus.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Friday, June 9
YOU ARE WITH US IN TIMES OF TROUBLE... ON THE WAY
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God. (Psalm 146: 1-2, 5)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us when we forget that God wants to help us.
Knowing we are together on the way, we now ask for the grace of knowing that you are always our help in times of trouble.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saturday, June 10
YOU CALL US TO BE GENEROUS AND HELPFUL TO THOSE WE MEET... ON THE WAY
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
Jesus watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she … has put in everything she had." (Mark 12:41-44)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
Knowing we are together on the way, we now ask for the grace to be generous in helping others.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Sunday, June 11
YOU GIVE US YOURSELF AS LIVING BREAD - FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY... ON THE WAY. THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven.
Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; (John 6:51)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
Knowing we are together on the way, we now ask for the grace of thankful hearts, especially for the gift the Eucharist.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Monday, June 12
YOU CALL US TO BE PEACEMAKERS... ON THE WAY
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us when we do not seek peace.
Knowing we are together on the way, we now ask for the grace to learn to be peacemakers where feelings are hurt and where conflicts arise.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Tuesday, June 13
LET OUR LIGHT SHINE... ON THE WAY
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
You are the light of the world. ... No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us when we do not let our light shine for others.
Knowing we are together on the way, we now ask for the grace to be lights that shine soothers can know your goodness, Lord.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Wednesday, June 14
TEACH US... ON THE WAY
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
“I have come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.” (Matthew 5:17)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
Knowing we are together on the way, 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.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thursday, June 15
JESUS, GIVE LIGHT TO OUR LEARNING... ON THE WAY
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us.
Knowing we are together on the way, we now ask for the grace to see how knowing Jesus brings light to all our learning as we are on the way together.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Friday, June 16
REMIND US THAT WE NEVER WALK ALONE... ON THE WAY - SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
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.
Let us listen to God's Word.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us when we feel it is difficult to follow you.
We now ask for the grace to know we are not alone; you walk with us on the way.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.