Tilma
This year (2026) marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. In preparation for this historic moment, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11.
All are invited to join in the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which the USCCB and people from across the nation will be praying from June 3-11, in preparation for the consecration. All are invited to pray then, or anytime between now and July 4.
As we prepare for this incredible occasion, let us turn to the Sacred Heart which reminds us that Christ’s love is not abstract or distant; His Heart beats for us.
A novena is a series of prayers repeated over nine consecutive days, aimed at asking for a special grace, making a specific petition, or simply deepening one’s devotion to God, the Virgin Mary, or the saints. The word “novena” comes from the Latin “novem,” meaning “nine,” and has deep roots in the history of Christianity.
The biblical origin of the novena can be found in the Acts of the Apostles, when Jesus’ disciples, along with the Virgin Mary, gathered to pray during the nine days between Jesus’ Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This event is seen as the first Christian novena, as the apostles, following Christ’s instructions, persevered in prayer while waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12-14).
Since then, this practice has been adopted by the Church for times of special need, preparation for important feasts, or as a form of intercession before God through the saints.
On October 24, 2024, Pope Francis released Dilexit Nos, meaning “He loved us” — his fourth and final encyclical, which is a formal letter from the pope issued to communicate important teachings, guidance or pastoral messages to the Church.
The encyclical was issued during the 350th anniversary of the first apparition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in France in 1673, one of four visions which led to the wide-spread devotion to the Sacred Heart.
In his encyclical, Pope Francis emphasized that nothing can separate humanity from Christ’s love. He also explored topics such as the heart as the core of our being, Jesus’ Heart as both human and divine, and concrete actions for living out Christ’s love in daily life.
Lord, I come to Your tender Heart today,
to You who have words that set my heart ablaze,
to You who pour out compassion on the little ones and the poor,
on those who suffer, and on all human miseries.
I desire to know You more, to contemplate You in the Gospel,
to be with You and learn from You
and from the charity with which You allowed Yourself
to be touched by all forms of poverty.
You showed us the Father’s love by loving us without measure
with Your divine and human Heart.
Grant all Your children the grace of encountering You.
Change, shape, and transform our plans,
so that we seek only You in every circumstance:
in prayer, in work, in encounters, and in our daily routine.
From this encounter, send us out on mission,
a mission of compassion for the world
in which You are the source from which all consolation flows.
Amen.
Lord Jesus,
You gave your life for us.
Your Sacred Heart is ablaze with love.
Your hand extends towards me, and towards all,
offering love, mercy, and healing.
Sacred Heart of Jesus may your love transform me.
Burn away my hesitation that I may become your
love and radiate your mercy.
Amen.
O most Sacred,
most loving Heart of Jesus,
Thou art concealed in the Holy Eucharist,
and Thou beatest for us still…
I worship Thee then with all my best love and awe,
with my fervent affection,
with my most subdued, most resolved will.
O my God, when Thou dost condescend to suffer me to receive Thee,
to eat and drink Thee,
and Thou for a while takest up Thy abode within me,
O make my heart beat with Thy Heart
(Meditations and Devotions, London, 1912, Part III [XVI], par. 3, pp. 573-574).
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
(Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, 950).
Lord Jesus,
Saviour of the world and source of holiness,
look with kindness
on all whom you have chosen
to be Missionaries of your loving Heart.
Ask your heavenly Father
to keep us in your love,
and sanctify us in the truth
so that you may be glorified in us
and we may reflect your goodness.
Ask your Father to keep us from evil
that we may always be united in bonds of love.
As you are one with your Father,
so may we be one with each other
in your divine Heart,
whose sentiments shall forever be ours
and to which we consecrate ourselves
in time and for eternity.
Amen.
My Jesus,
I love You with my whole heart.
I am sorry for having so many times offended Your infinite goodness.
With the help of Your grace,
I purpose never to offend You again.
And now, unworthy though I am,
I consecrate myself to You without reserve.
I renounce and give entirely to You my will,
my affection, my desires, and all that I possess.
I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith…
Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence.
Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee.
Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.
Amen.
O Jesus! When You were a Pilgrim on earth, You said:
“Learn of Me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
O Mighty Monarch of Heaven, my soul finds rest in seeing You,
clothed in the form and nature of a slave,
humbling Yourself to wash the feet of Your apostles…
I beg You, my Divine Jesus, to send me a humiliation whenever I try to set myself above others.
I know that You humble the proud soul but to the one who humbles one’s self.
You give an eternity of glory… To obtain this grace of Your infinite mercy I will very often repeat:
“O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours!”
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:
You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you.
From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst.
Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you.
We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation.
May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed. May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love.
O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America.
Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
