to Jesus through Mary and Joseph
our Devotions to Jesus
Popular devotions are expressions of love and fidelity that arise from the intersection of one's own faith, culture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Saint John Paul II said in 2001:
"Genuine forms of popular piety, expressed in a multitude of different ways, derives from the faith and, therefore, must be valued and promoted. Such authentic expressions of popular piety are not at odds with the centrality of the Sacred Liturgy. Rather, in promoting the faith of the people, who regard popular piety as a natural religious expression, they predispose the people for the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries.
The liturgy is the center of the life of the Church and popular devotions should never be portrayed as equal to the liturgy, nor can they adequately substitute for the liturgy. What is crucial is that popular devotions be in harmony with the liturgy, drawing inspiration from it and ultimately leading back to it.
Devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request)
Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.
Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
O my Most Loving and Gentle Jesus, I desire with all the affections of my heart, that all beings should praise Thee, honor Thee and glorify Thee eternally for that sacred wound wherewith Thy divine side was rent. I deposit, enclose, conceal in that wound and in that opening in Thy Heart, my heart and all my feelings, thoughts, desires, intentions and all the faculties of my soul. I entreat Thee, by the precious Blood and Water that flowed from Thy Most Loving Heart, to take entire possession of me, that Thou may guide me in all things. Consume me in the burning fire of thy holy Love, so that I may be so absorbed and transformed into Thee that I may no longer be but one with Thee.
Amen.
-- Lanspergius, the Carthusian
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Prayer to the Wounded Heart of Jesus
9 Day Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
In the name of the Father….
Praise be the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Who wrought our salvation. To It be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Eternal Father, accept the precious blood and water that flowed from the wound of the Divine Heart of Jesus as a sacrifice of reparation for the necessities of our Mother the Church and in atonement for the sins of men. Have mercy on us all.
O Jesus, my dearest Savior, through You, we offer to the Father the blood and water which flowed from Your wounded Heart on the tree of the cross. Grant that this blood and water may be efficaciously applied to us and to all other sinners. Cleanse, purify and sanctify all men in virtue of Your merits. Grant, O Jesus, that we may enter into Your most loving Heart and remain there forever. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Hail, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! Hail Thou, living and life giving source of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, consuming furnace of Divine Love! Thou art my resting place and my city of refuge.
O my sweetest Savior, inflame my heart with that burning love with which Thine is consumed; pour into it those precious graces which spring forth from Thine as from their source, and unite it so intimately with Thine that Thy will may be mine, and that mine may ever be in perfect accordance with Thine; for my only desire is that in the future Thy most holy will would be the rule of all my desires and actions. Amen.
Special Prayer for the First Day
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I adore in Thee as present and living, the all-powerful God, the sovereign Lord and Master, by Whom all things were made, by Whom all things on earth and in heaven are governed and Whose will nothing can withstand.
In virtue of Thy power and Divinity, deign, I beseech Thee, to hear my humble prayers. Ward off from my soul and body the dangers that surround them, and grant me the graces of which I am in pressing need during this novena. I humbly ask them of Thee with firm confidence, and return for Thy benefits, I offer myself without reserve and forever to love, serve and glorify God for His great love for me shown by the Sacred Heart.
(Mention now the special favor you seek to obtain during this novena, and pray three Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be with the invocation, also three times, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come!”)
Closing Prayer
O God, Who in the Heart of Thy Son, wounded by our transgressions, dost mercifully vouchsafe to bestow upon us the infinite wealth of Thy love; grant, we beseech Thee, that revering it with meek devotion, we may make a worthy reparation for our sins.
May Thy holy mysteries produce in us a divine fervor, whereby, having tasted the sweetness of Thy most Sacred Heart, we may learn to despise earthly things and love those of heaven. Amen.
The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hypostatically united to the Eternal Word, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, worthy of all praise, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in which are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in which dwells all the fullness of the Divinity, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in which the Father is well pleased, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of Whose fullness we have all received, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of all eternal hills, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and abounding in mercy, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich unto all that call upon Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, filled with reproaches, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our sins, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those that hope in Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.
Let us pray;
Almighty and eternal God, consider the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and the praise and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reignes with Thee, world without end. Amen.
Special Prayer for the Second Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
In Thee, O Divine Heart of Jesus, present and living in the Blessed Eucharist, I adore the boundless love of God for man carried to the greatest excess , God annihilate Himself for us, so far as to give and consume Himself entirely in our service and use.
In virtue of this immeasurable charity, deign, I beseech Thee, to hear my humble prayers.
With firm confidence and peaceful certitude, and in perfect union with Thy divine will, I await the hour of Thy mercy. O Sacred Heat, be my strength and my refuge, my patience and my consolation, my joy and my love in all the miseries of this life, and guard my poor soul to the eternal life where I desire to live in Thy company. Amen.
Special Prayer for the Third Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
O Divine Heart of Jesus, present an living in the Holy Eucharist that is offered daily at the altar, I adore the gift of God that excels all others, in which God Himself with all that He is and all that He has, gives Himself up to us without measure, without reserve and without end, unto His death on the cross. By infinite merits of this gift, deign, O Divine Redeemer, to hear my humble prayers.
Enlighten my mind, O Heart divine, with the ray of Thy eternal truth. Let me always hope in Thee, for my own sins cost Thee Thy sufferings and death. Make me abide continually in Thy love so that I may always unite myself with Thee whenever I desire to thank Thee for all Thy goodness. Amen
Special Prayer for the Fourth Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I come before Thy divine presence to adore Thee, to thank Thee, to express my sorrow for sin, and to ask Thee a special favor during this novena. I adore Thee for Thou didst come
on this earth for love of men, and Thou wert so like me a mortal, except that I am a sinner and Thou art the Savior. In virtue of this Sacred Humanity and the brotherly love Thou hast shown me, deign I humbly ask Thee, to hear my humble prayers.
Hearken to my supplication, O Sacred Heart, and increase my faith up to the degree that it may reach the source of Thy treasures. Grant that I may return Thy love with a little love that I have but with Thy infinite merits, make my love acceptable to the Father. Amen.
Special Prayer for the Fifth Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
O most compassionate Heart of Jesus, my reconciliation, and peace, my hope and resurrection, I adore Thee as my Redeemer who snatched my soul from the depths of hell. Deliver me from sin and make me worthy of the restoration of my soul into eternal inheritance. In virtue of this abundant redemption, grant me, I humbly ask Thee, my petition.
Come and abide in me, O Sacred Heart, and be my constant friend. I promise to requite Thy supreme love with unswerving devotion to Thee, living and present in the Blessed Eucharist about which I pledge to proclaim to the world without human respect. Preserve in Thy love those who also love Thee. Amen.
Special Prayer for the Sixth Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
I Humbly prostrate myself before Thy sacred presence, O adorable Heart of Jesus, conscious of my own sinfulness and of my need for your pardon and consolation. Ward off, dear Lord, from my soul the dangers of soul and body that may separate me from Thy love.
O Divine Heart, I adore Thee as the Victim immolated for my sins and the sins of the world. May Thy perpetual sacrifice appease the wrath of the Eternal Father so that I and other sinners may be assured of the right to His love and graces. In virtue of this ineffable immolation, deign, I beseech Thee, to hearken to my supplications. Come, O Love, and stay with me and with whom I also pray so that we may all deserve to love Thee more, serve Thee without reserve and glorify Thy name till the hour of death. Amen.
Special Prayer for the Seventh Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thou hast given Thyself to men to be the food of their souls, I pray Thee to keep me continually nourished by this Bread of Life. Strengthen me and sustain me in the labors of my daily living by making me taste ineffable delights. In virtue of this heavenly manna, grant that I may be worthy of the eternal life promised to those who eat of this food.
In particular, I ask Thee, dear Heart Divine, let me not stray away from Thy teachings and Thy desires. I wish to benefit from thy promises of peace and salvation to all those who venerate and pay homage to Thee. I will help propagate Thy love with the example of a truly Christian life anchored on Thee living and present in the Blessed Eucharist. Amen.
Special Prayer for the Eight Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
I adore Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, as Master and Mediator of my prayers and desires with Eternal Father, for Thou didst teach me how to pray and make sacrifices in atonement for sin. By Thy teachings I wish to be assured of Thy merits and to deserve the graces which Thou hadst promised to those who on the first Friday of every month will receive Thee in Holy Communion as an act of adoration and reparation.
I humbly ask Thee, O Divine Heart, to refresh me spiritually whenever there is no occasion for me to receive Thee. Come into my mind to illuminate it with the light of heaven and fill my heart with Thy love so that I may be intimately united with Thee, so that it is not I alone that live, but Thou livest and reignest in me forever. Amen.
Special Prayer for the Ninth Day
( Recite the Prayers as of the First Day)
O most living Heart of Jesus, I come before Thee to acknowledge Thee as inexhaustible source of heavenly gifts and boundless treasure of every good, virtue and happiness. Come, I humbly pray, into my soul so that in virtue of this admirable plentitude my devotion to Thee may be most pleasing to the Father.
May Thy kingdom come, O Divine Heart, in the souls of men and may Thy reign be the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church and the hope of the world now in the tight grip of tension, hate and helplessness. Be Thou king of all hearts. Lastly I beseech Thee to pardon me for all my ingratitude, and make me worthy to receive the special grace I seek during this novena, if it be for Thy greater glory and the salvation of my soul. Amen.
A Brief History of the Devotion to The Sacred Heart
Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as we know it, began about the year 1672. On repeated occasions, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, in France, and during these apparitions He explained to her the devotion to His Sacred Heart as He wanted people to practice it. he asked to be honored in the symbol of His Heart of flesh; he asked for acts of reparation, for frequent Communion, Communion on the First Friday of the month, and the keeping of the Holy Hour.
There are two things that must always be found together in the devotion to the Sacred Heart: Christ's Heart of flesh and Christ's love for us. True devotion to the Sacred Heart means devotion to the Divine Heart of Christ insofar as His Heart represents and recalls His love for us.
In honoring the Heart of Christ, our homage lingers on the Person of Jesus in the fullness of His love. This love of Christ for us was the moving force of all he did and suffered for us -- in Nazareth, on the Cross, in giving Himself in the Blessed Sacrament, in His teaching and healing, in His praying and working.
The Twelve Promises of Jesus to
Saint Margaret Mary for those devoted to His Sacred Heart:
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I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
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I will establish peace in their families.
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I will console them in all their troubles.
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They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
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I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
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Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
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Tepid souls shall become fervent.
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Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
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I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
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I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
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Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
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The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
"Look at this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."
Background of the Devotion to the Divine Mercy
From the diary of a young Polish nun, a special devotion began spreading throughout the world in the 1930s. The message is nothing new, but is a reminder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition: that God is merciful and forgiving and that we, too, must show mercy and forgiveness. But in the Divine Mercy devotion, the message takes on a powerful new focus, calling people to a deeper understanding that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone — especially the greatest sinners.
The message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God’s mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had
begun to spread.
The message of mercy is that God loves us — all of us — no matter how great our sins. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. It is a message we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC.
A — Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.
B — Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.
C — Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.
Devotion to The Divine Mercy
1. Make the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Optional Opening Prayers
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.
(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
3. Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
4. Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
5. The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
6. The Eternal Father
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.
7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
8. Repeat for the remaining decades
Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.
9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
10. Optional Closing Prayer
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.
Chaplet of The Divine Mercy
The Divine Mercy Novena
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."
During the Solemn Novena leading to Divine Mercy Sunday, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy should be offered each day for the
day's intentions.
First Day
"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."
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,
and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
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.
* In the original text, Saint Faustina uses the pronoun "us" since she was offering this prayer as a consecrated religious sister. The wording adapted here is intended to make the prayer suitable for universal use.
Third Day
"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."
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 know Me,
I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."
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.
*Our Lord's original words here were "the pagans." Since the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, the Church has seen fit to replace this term with clearer and more appropriate terminology.
Fifth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church*,
and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."
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.
*Our Lord's original words here were "heretics and schismatics," since He spoke to Saint Faustina within the context of her times. As of the Second Vatican Council, Church authorities have seen fit not to use those designations in accordance with the explanation given in the Council's Decree on Ecumenism (n.3). Every pope since the Council has reaffirmed that usage. Saint Faustina herself, her heart always in harmony with the mind of the Church, most certainly would have agreed. When at one time, because of the decisions of her superiors and father confessor, she was not able to execute Our Lord's inspirations and orders, she declared: "I will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus " I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me" (497). The Lord confirmed her action and praised her for it.
Sixth Day
Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children,
and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
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*,
and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.
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 them 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.
*The text leads one to conclude that in the first prayer directed to Jesus, Who is the Redeemer, it is "victim" souls and contemplatives that are being prayed for; those persons, that is, that voluntarily offered themselves to God for the salvation of their neighbor (see Col 1:24; 2 Cor 4:12). This explains their close union with the Savior and the extraordinary efficacy that their invisible activity has for others. In the second prayer, directed to the Father from whom comes "every worthwhile gift and every genuine benefit,"we recommend the "active" souls, who promote devotion to The Divine Mercy and exercise with it all the other works that lend themselves to the spiritual and material uplifting of their brethren.
Eighth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory,
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."
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 the Souls who have become Lukewarm,
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
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.
Prayer to The Blessed Sacrament
My LORD Jesus Christ, Who because of Your love for men remain night and day in the Blessed Sacrament, full of pity and of love, awaiting, calling and welcoming all who come to visit You, I believe that You are present here on the altar. I adore You, and I thank You for all the graces You have bestowed on me, especially for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament, for having given me Your most holy Mother Mary to plead for me, and for having called me to visit You in this church.
I now salute Your most loving Heart, and that for three ends:
first, in thanksgiving for this great gift;
secondly, to make amends to You for all the outrages committed against You in this Sacrament by Your enemies;
thirdly, I intend by this visit to adore You in all the places on earth in which You are present in the
Blessed Sacrament and in which You are least honored and most abandoned.
My Jesus, I love You with my whole heart. I am very 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. For the future, dispose of me and all I have as You please.
All I ask of You is Your holy love, final perseverance and that I may carry out Your will perfectly. I recommend to You the souls in Purgatory, especially those who had the greatest devotion to
the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also recommend to You all poor sinners.
Finally, my dear Saviour, I unite all my desires with the desires of Your most loving Heart; and I offer them, thus united, to the Eternal Father, and beseech Him, in Your name and for love of You, to accept and grant them.
St. Alphonsus Liguori and The Blessed Sacrament
St. Alphonsus Liguori was known as a tireless champion of our faith, both as a preacher and a prolific author of over 100 theological works that have since been translated into over 60 languages! His poignant prayers for the Stations of the Cross are still used in services, especially during Lent.
This prayer, which truly reflects this great saint’s devotion to our Lord, comes from his first book, published in 1745, entitled Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. It is still in print today, along with his other classics like The Glories of Mary, a stirring and highly informative series of essays and meditations devoted to our Blessed Mother.
In St. Alphonsus Liguori's prayer before the Blessed Sacrament we are making reparation not only for the sins of others, but for our own as well. St. Alphonsus also inspires us here to strive to carry out God’s will “perfectly.” (As we say in the Lord's Prayer,“Thy will be done!”) He once wrote that “he who unites his will to God’s experiences a full and lasting joy.” This ties in nicely with the popular saying “let go and let God.”
Do you have days when you feel like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders? Let Jesus help you! When you visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament, pray for His guidance as you turn your problems over to Him.
Our Lord can give you the grace to cope with stress as He helps you carry your cross on the road to Eternal Life! May this prayer help you draw closer to Christ in a spirit of true contrition, humility, and joy from His presence and His peace