Devotion and confident prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A novena is a special type of Catholic devotion which consists of a prayer which requires a special grace which is normally recited for nine consecutive days. The practice of praying novenas is described in the scriptures. After Jesus ascended into heaven, he instructed the disciples how to pray together and how to devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14). Church doctrine maintains that the Apostles, the Blessed Virgin Mary and other followers of Jesus prayed together for nine consecutive days, which ended with the descent of the Holy Spirit on earth on Pentecost.

Based on this story, Roman Catholic practice has many Novenian prayers dedicated to particular circumstances.

This particular novena is appropriate for use during the Feast of the Sacred Heart during the month of June, but can also be prayed at any time of the year.

Historically, the Feast of the Sacred Heart falls 19 days after Pentecost, which means that its date may be May 29th or July 2nd. His first known year of celebration was in 1670. It is one of the most commonly practiced devotions in Roman Catholicism and symbolically positions the literal and physical heart of Jesus Christ as a representative of his divine compassion for humanity. Some Anglicans and Lutheran Protestants also practice this devotion.

In this particular prayer of trust to the Sacred Heart, we ask Christ to present his request to His Father as his. There are various expressions used for the Novena of Trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, some highly formalized and others more colloquial, but the one reprinted here is the most common rendition.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
to your Sacred Heart, I trust
this intention:
(Mention your intention here)
Just look at me, and then do what your Sacred Heart inspires.
Let your Sacred Heart decide; I count on it, I trust it.
I launch on your mercy, Lord Jesus! I won't miss you.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in your love for me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, come your kingdom.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I asked you for many favors,
but I seriously beg for this. Take it.
Put it in your open and broken Heart;
And when the Eternal Father considers him,
Covered in your precious blood, it will not refuse it.
It will no longer be my prayer, but yours, or Jesus.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
Let me not be disappointed.
Amen.