9 Days of Prayer - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 2024

Posted on 05/28/2024

Beginning on May 29, 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. Students in Catholic Schools in Ontario learn about this devotion in the Grade 6 Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ program during Unit 5. 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.
Catholic Education Week 2024 reminded us that we are called to love. As we are reminded in the First Letter of John – “If we love one another, God lives in us.” (1 John 4:12) As we have turned our minds, in a particular way this year, to families and the love of God in and for families, let us once again pray together focused on the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – a heart that overflows with love for each and every one of us and for the whole human family. Our Novena begins with a day of Preparation on Wednesday, May 29th followed by 9 days that lead to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Together, on the journey, we pray!
We have provided each day’s theme and prayer for you below, and the full prayer document from the Institute of Catholic Education is available to view HERE. We also encourage you to check out the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 2024 playlist on YouTube by the Institute for Catholic Education.

Wednesday, May 29

We Are Called To Love Deeply

On this day, before our Novena begins, we think of the First Letter of Peter that reminds us of the importance of loving one another deeply.

In his letter, Peter says:

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth
so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 
(1 Peter 1:22)

Over the next nine days, our prayers will focus on the heart of Jesus – his Sacred Heart. We will remember his great love for each of us, for our families, and for the whole human family. Each day we will entrust families to the love of Jesus.  

Let us pray ✝️

Thursday, May 30

God Loves Us Generation After Generation

Let us pray ✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 
We now listen to God's Word

For the Lord if Good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, we think of generations gone before us and in a special way, we think of grandparents and all older people. Help us to remember your love throughout the generations in our family. Help us to be grateful for the love of grandparents and to show kindness to older adults who may be without family or feeling lonely. 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.

Day 1 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Friday, May 31 (Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Mary Visits Her Cousin, Elizabeth

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Luke 1:39-42)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, help us to remember the love and respect between Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth. Help us to recognize how our family cares for us, celebrates happy times and supports us in difficult times. May we be caring family members. Like Mary, may we show care to the whole human family. 
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.

Day 2 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Saturday, June 1 

God's Mercy Is A Sign of God's Love

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 20 - 21)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, help us to remember when we show mercy and forgiveness to one another in our families, we are sharing your love. May we be people who show mercy and forgiveness with everyone we encounter.
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.

Day 3 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Sunday, June 2 (The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ [Corpus Christi]) 

Families Celebrate The Gift Of The Mass

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord (Psalm 116:12-13)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, help us to be thankful for the gift of the Mass. When we gather for Mass, help us to remember all the members of our family in our prayer. Help us always to pray for the good of the whole human family. May we grow in love and strength as a family through the gift of the Mass.
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.

Day 4 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Monday, June 3

God Wants To Give Us Everything We Need

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  (2 Peter 1:3)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, help us to be grateful for all the blessings you have given us. Help us to remember all who lack food or water or friendship or shelter and help us to bring comfort to them.
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.

Day 5 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Tuesday, June 4

God Is Our Loving Creator

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:1-2)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, help us to see your goodness in all Creation. Help us to care for Creation and find ways to live responsibly so that the whole human family can share in the blessings of the earth.
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.

Day 6 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Wednesday, June 5

Our Eyes Look To The Lord

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us. (Psalm 123:2)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on us. May all families learn forgiveness and mercy as they look to you.
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.

Day 7 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Thursday, June 6

Teach Me Your Ways

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. (Psalm 25:5)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, help us to learn more about you at school, at church and with our family. 
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.

Day 8 - Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Institute for Catholic Education Video)   Click the image to play the video

Friday, June 7 (The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus)

Every Family On Earth And In Heaven Is Cared For By The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

Let us pray

✝️In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust to you our own family and the whole human family Show us, Lord, the treasures we love, goodness and mercy in our heart so that we may be truly loving, good and merciful. 

We now listen to God's Word

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. (Ephesians 3:14-17)

(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and love, have mercy on all families. Help us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be your joyful disciples who form communities of love. May our family be held in your care and may we work for peace and justice for the whole human family.
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.