a litany to the most sacred heart of jesus
Today, June 24th, is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Solemnity is celebrated on the Friday that follows Corpus Christi. Devotion to the Heart of Jesus graces the writings of the Fathers of the Church and has blossomed throughout the prayer of many of the Church’s great saints. The heart is traditionally recognized as the seat of wisdom, the font from which compassion is called forth. We know no greater compassion, no more profound a love than that of our Savior Jesus Christ, whose own pierced Heart poured forth blood and water. From his Heart flowed the substance of the Church’s Baptismal and Eucharistic life, and within his Heart, his servants are held in perfect love.
In 2020 when the pandemic shut down everything, I wrote and compiled a brief liturgy after the ordo of Morning Prayer to be prayed on zoom with friends. It was a great blessing to me, and here I share the litany from the service. Even if this particular devotion is new or strange to you, perhaps you might pray with it today. Here you can find a link to a pdf of the full text.
The Litany
O God the Father, Creator of all,
have mercy on us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, lover of all Creation,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enkindled in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, broken in compassion,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, wellspring of the love of God,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, companion of the exile,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, light of the prisoner,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, dignity of the poor,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rest of the laborer,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, freedom of the addicted,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, solace of the fearful,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, consolation of the grieving,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hearth of the refugee,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of the sick,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, solitude of the prayerful,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, passion of the priest,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, protector of the peaceful,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, succor of the prophet,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, comfort of the caregiver,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of the faithful,
Have mercy on us.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, send forth your blessed water and Blood, balm of the fallen spirit.
We beseech you, gracious Lord.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, renew within us knowledge of your saving victimhood.
We beseech you, gracious Lord.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, compel our own hearts to gentleness.
We beseech you, gracious Lord.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, alive in the most holy Sacrament of the altar, nourish and sustain us.
We beseech you, gracious Lord.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, illumined on the Cross, burn brightly for us, and lead us home.
We beseech you, gracious Lord.
O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Grant us your peace.
The afflicted shall see and be glad.
You who seek God, your heart shall live.
Let us pray.
O Blessed Jesus, whose Sacred Heart is the wellspring of charity. Pour your grace into the hearts of your people, awaken us to tenderness, and unite us in that love without end made perfect upon your Cross; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.