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Prayer & Devotion

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Email your prayer requests to Fr. Peter at frmupeter@yahoo.com and will be offered in prayer on Fridays during holy hour & Eucharistic adoration from 8:30-9:30 before benediction.  Please include the Parish (Sacred Heart or Corpus Christi Parish).

History of The Sacred Heart Devotion

Sacred Heart Devotion

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the worship of God’s incarnate love for mankind, which brings us a deeper contemplation of the love of God the Son. It originates in God’s continuous love for Israel, in which He says, “My steadfast love shall not depart from you” (Is. 54:10), for “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3). Man is invited to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Deut. 6:5), and to see that “great are the works of the Lord; to be pondered by all who love them” (Ps. 11 1:2). At the appointed time, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (Jn. 3:16) to save sinners, so that, for us who believe, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:5).

The life that Jesus gives to the world comes from the grace of the Holy Eucharist, His body and blood under the appearances of bread and wine. The Church was born from the blood and water that flowed from the open side of Jesus, a stream that ” gave the sacraments of the Church the power to confer the life of grace” (St. Bonaventure). Jesus is the Word made flesh (cf. Jn. 1: 14) whose Heart, “full of goodness and love,” contains all the treasures of His divine love. He is God made man, the Lord we adore in His Eucharistic presence.

In Rome in 1550, and half a century later, Pope Clement VIII approved the devotion for the whole Church for the purpose of strengthening the faith, converting sinners, and praying for world peace. The faithful were encouraged to appeal to the mercy in the Heart of their Eucharistic Lord. In 1853, St. John Neumann of Philadelphia became the first U.S. Bishop to institute the observance of this devotion in his diocese.

In 1675, Our Lord appeared in Paray le Monial, France to St. Margaret Mary from out of the monstrance with a flaming Heart of love, and said, “Behold this Heart that has so loved men that It has spared nothing even to exhausting and consuming Itself in order to show them Its love … I promise that My Heart will pour out abundantly the power of Its love upon those who pay It … honor.” Thereafter, devotion to the Sacred Heart spread, and was officially recognized by the Church in 1856. At Fatima, Portugal in 1916, devotion to the Sacred Heart received further impetus when the Angel of Portugal told the children of Fatima to pray to the Most Holy Trinity for the conversion of sinners “through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

Promises for Those Devoted to the Sacred Heart

THE PROMISES OF OUR

LORD

to Saint Margaret Mary
for Souls Devoted to His
Sacred Heart

  1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.

  2. I will establish peace in their houses.

  3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

  4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death.

  5. I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings.

  6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.

  7. Tepid souls shall grow fervent.

  8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.

  9. I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.

  10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

  11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in Heart, never to be blotted out.

  12. I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love grant to all those who communicate on First Friday in nine consecutive months grace of final penitence; they shall not in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this lost moment.

Irresistible Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Irresistible Novena to the

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Note: This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all those who recommended themselves to his prayers.

O my Jesus, Thou didst say: “Amen, I say to you, ask and you shall receive;
seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”
Hence I knock, I seek, and I ask for the grace of…
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee!

O my Jesus, Thou didst say: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father
in My name, He will give unto you.” Hence I ask the Father,
in Thy name, for the grace of…
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee!

O my Jesus, Thou didst say: “Amen, I say to you, heaven and earth shall pass away,
but My words shall not pass away.” Encouraged by Thy infallible words,
I now ask for the grace of…
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee!

Let us pray
Sacred Heart of Jesus, for Whom one thing alone is impossible, namely, not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace we ask of Thee, through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Thy tender Mother and ours.

Hail Holy Queen…
Saint Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us!
Heart of Jesus, rich unto all that call upon Thee, have mercy on us!
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us
!

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Chaplet of

The Divine Mercy

According to the Diary of
Saint Faustina Kowalska
1905 - 1939
http://www.faustina.ch/index_en.htm

In addition to the Novena to The Divine Mercy, which Our Lord gave to Blessed Faustina for her own personal use, He revealed to her a powerful prayer that He wanted everyone to say – the Chaplet of Mercy. Blessed Faustina prayed the Chaplet almost constantly, especially for the dying, and the Lord urged her to encourage others to say it too, promising extraordinary graces to those who would recite this special prayer.The Chaplet can be said anytime, but the Lord specifically asked that it be recited as a novena, especially on the nine days before the Feast of Mercy. And He promised, “By this Novena (of Chaplets) I will grant every possible grace to souls.”We can pray this Novena of Chaplets for our own personal intentions or we can offer it together with the Novena to The Divine mercy for the Daily intentions dictated by Our Lord to Blessed Faustina (see Novena to The Divine Mercy).

HOW TO RECITE THE CHAPLET OF MERCY

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades. At the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Strockbridge, Massachusetts the Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Blessed Faustina and followed by a closing prayer.

OPENING PRAYERS (optional)

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in You!

Begin the Chaplet with
the Our Father,
the Hail Mary,
and the Apostles Creed.

Then, on the large beads before each decade, say:

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly
beloved Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world

Then, on the ten small beads of each decade, say:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Conclude with the following prayer (said three times)

Holy God,
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.

CLOSING PRAYER (optional)

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.

Our Lord said to Blessed Faustina:

“Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you…Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death … When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior … Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My mercy… Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.”

Divine Mercy Novena

In Preparation for
Divine Mercy Sunday
(The First Sunday after Easter)

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY

Jesus requested that Sister Faustina prepare herself for the Feast of Mercy by making a novena which was to begin on Good Friday.

Beginning with Good Friday as a preparation for the Feast of Mercy according to Our Lord’s express wish, it is greatly recommended to give honor to The Divine Mercy, in answer to Jesus’ claim and appeal, by offering the novena for both His general and particular daily intentions.

The General Intentions are:
1. The conversion of the whole world; and
2. That The Divine Mercy become known so
that everyone will extol Christ’s goodness.

Everyone is free to follow in one’s own words, Our Lord’s simple instructions regarding the Novena as a preparation for the Feast of Mercy.


The Particular Daily Intentions are:
1. On each day you will bring to My Heart a
different group of souls;
2. You will immerse them in this ocean of
My Mercy.
3. On each day you will beg My Father, on the
strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for
these souls.

FIRST DAY

Today bring to Me
ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

SECOND DAY

Today bring to Me
THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard—upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

THIRD DAY

Today bring to Me
ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from it. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen

FOURTH DAY

Today bring to Me
THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

FIFTH DAY
Today bring to Me
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

SIXTH DAY

Today bring to Me
THE MEEK AND HUMBLE SOULS AND
THE SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

SEVENTH DAY

Today bring to Me
THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

EIGHTH DAY

Today bring to Me
THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

NINTH DAY

Today bring to Me
SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

For a Plenary Indulgence,
the Lord prescribes:

1. The reception of Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday (The First Sunday after Easter)
2. The Sacrament of Reconciliation in connection with that Holy Communion several days before or after Divine Mercy Sunday.

And the Lord recommends:
1. “On My Feast – on the Feast of Mercy …run through the whole world and lead souls that fainted away to the source of My Mercy. I will heal and strengthen them.”
2. “I desire that adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament take place for the intention of imploring mercy for the world.”



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