The Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful prayer to be recited for nine consecutive days. It is dedicated to specific intentions, whether personal requests, special graces or prayers for others. Here is a complete novena to guide you on this spiritual journey.
Daily preparation
Before you begin, take a moment of silence to recollect yourself. Recite an introductory prayer:
"O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I come before you with faith and trust. I offer you this novena, and I entrust to you this particular intention (express your intention). Grant me the grace to pray to you with fervour and abandon, uniting myself fully to your infinite love. Amen."
Day 1: Infinite Love
Theme: Discovering the love of Jesus Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, you who loved the world to the point of giving your life, help me to understand the depth of your love. Fill my heart with gratitude and teach me to respond to this love with my words and actions. I entrust to you my needs and my desire to walk in your light. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 2: Mercy
Theme: Welcoming God's forgiveness Prayer: O Sacred Heart of Jesus, you are the inexhaustible source of mercy. Forgive my sins and renew my soul. Teach me to forgive as you do, with humility and generosity. May your mercy heal my heart and help me to move forward with confidence. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, rich in mercy, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 3: Peace
Theme: Finding peace in the heart of Jesus Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, you who are the Prince of Peace, come and soothe my worries and anxieties. Place your divine peace in my heart and in my life. Help me to be a peacemaker for others, living according to your example. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and comfort, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 4: Trust
Theme: Placing ourselves in the hands of Jesus Prayer: O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I come to you with my doubts and fears. Teach me to trust you in all things. Help me to abandon myself to your will, knowing that you always want the best for me. I entrust myself entirely to you, today and always. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, refuge of trusting souls, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 5: Hope
Theme: Keeping hope in trials Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, you who never disappoint those who hope in you, I come to place my expectations and dreams in your hands. Help me to persevere, even when the going gets tough. Remind me that your love never abandons me. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, our hope and our light, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 6: Reparation
Theme: Making reparation for offences against the heart of Jesus Prayer: O Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins, I come to offer you my prayers in reparation for the offences committed against your love. Accept my humble contribution as an act of love and reparation. Make my heart more faithful and generous to you. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, victim of our sins, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 7: Joy
Theme: Living in the joy of Jesus' love Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, you who are the source of true joy, fill my heart with your presence. Help me to live each day with gratitude and happiness, bearing witness to your love for others. Make me a bearer of joy in this world. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, our joy and strength, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 8: Strength
Theme: Finding strength in Jesus Prayer: O Sacred Heart of Jesus, in my moments of weakness and doubt, be my strength and support. Strengthen my faith and help me to persevere in trials. With you I can overcome anything, for your love always sustains me. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, fortress of faithful souls, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Day 9: Surrender
Theme: Surrendering fully to Jesus Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, I come to you with all that I am and all that I have. I offer you my joys, my sorrows, my plans and my trials. Teach me to abandon myself entirely to you, with trust and love. Guide me according to your will. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, in whom I place all my trust, I trust in you.
Recite: An Our Father, a Hail Mary, a Glory to the Father.
Conclusion of the novena
On the last day, end with a prayer of thanksgiving:
"Thank you, Lord, for your Sacred Heart open for me. Thank you for the graces received during this novena. I commit myself to live according to your love and to spread your light and peace around me. Amen.
