Sacred Heart Novena

Day One – Heart of Jesus: Word Made FleshWord was made flesh,

He lived among us
and we see his glory.
John 1:14

Cabrinian Psalm-Prayer:

The Heart of Jesus is the living center of the Incarnate Word.
In revealing the merciful love of the Trinity, Jesus fulfilled the redemptive plan.
Loving the Father in the fullness of the Spirit, the Son offered himself for us.
We see, in the blood and water flowing from his open heart, the culmination of his saving passion in death-resurrection. The Spirit, who is life, has made fruitful
for us the Son’s outpouring of his own life.

Glory be…

MSC Constitutions, 2

Scripture Reading: John 1: 1-5, 9-14, 16,18

Called to be Word:

God’s word has the power to convert me, so that I in turn may be word to others, a word consistent with the Word that is the life of Jesus, a word that can be heard, seen, read, remembered, a word that will give to others encouragement, challenge, spark, vitality, power. What does the word of my life say to others? Is there someone who is waiting for a word that only I can say? Who? What is that word? What word from the Heart of Jesus needs to come, through me, to a particular person, a particular group, for a particular situation with those with whom I work, live or relate?
“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of eternal life” (1 Sam 3:10).”

Ponderings:

What is the Word that you hear God saying to you?
Listen to your inner voice. Listen to your heart.
It’s your connection to God, to people, to the universe.Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, only begotten son of the God, full of grace and truth, give the abundance of your life to all who seek you with a sincere heart. To you, our Redeemer, the beginning and the end of time; to the Father, unending source of all good; and to the Holy Spirit, seal of infinite love, be all honor and glory, now and forever. AMEN

Day Two  – Heart of Jesus: Source of Living Water

I will turn into a spring inside them,
welling up to eternal life. John 4:14

Cabrinian Psalm Prayer:

Oh Jesus, what are you like? If only everyone would know you!
If you would reveal your secrets, they would fly to you in a flash!
My Jesus, I entrust myself to you, to your wondrous love and goodness.
I am the fountain, you are the stream.
Run to every region that I point out to you
so that my saving waters will work marvels on souls.
You have only to stay connected to the fountain.
My saving waters run in all seasons.
Fear nothing; help will fail only when my power fails.
All I ask of you is that you be strong in faith.
Leave the rest to me. Love me always in the simplicity of your heart,
and your stream will flow abundantly with living, crystal-pure water.
Separate yourself even briefly from the source and your stream will dry up.
Glory be…

Francesca Cabrini, Journal of a Trusting Heart

Scripture Reading: John 4: 10, 13-14

Called to be Water:
How are we called to be water for others, to give others to drink? Are we called to be bucket, or path to the well, or the well itself? Are we called to help others discover their own bucket or well – to find or perhaps clear away paths to the well that may have become overgrown and hidden- to open wells that once were flowing, but have become clogged, polluted, stagnant, or just plain lost? If I have been given to drink, I cannot hoard this for myself; I must share my source of vitality and lead others to the same fountain of water. Who? Where? How?

Ponderings:

Wash. Yes-cleanse, flood, rinse, scour, soak, bathe me, in that pool, pond fountain, ocean, of your life.
(Wendy Wright, Sacred Heart: Gateway to God,  p.59)

Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, Jesus, our Advocate, our Counselor, only-begotten Son of God, give the abundance of your life to all who seek you with a sincere heart. In you is the hope of the future. Direct us to the Water of Life that our thirst may be satisfied and “like the deer that yearns for running water”, may we always find in you the life-giving stream that refreshes, our yearning soul. AMEN

Day Three – Heart of Jesus: Bread of Life

I am the living bread
which has come down from heaven,
so that we may eat it and not die.
John 6:51

Psalm Prayer: Canticle: (Wisdom 16:20-21, 24-26)

How different you are with your people!
You give them the food of angels,
Untiringly send them bread already prepared from heaven,
Bread containing every delight, satisfying every taste.
And the substance you gave demonstrated your sweetness towards your children
For conforming to the taste of who ate it, it transformed itself into what each eater wished.

Scripture Reading: John 6:35, 37-40, 48-51

Called to be Bread:
As a follower of Jesus, who gave himself to be consumed as bread, I also am called to take the little I may have, give thanks for it, break it and distribute it. Who is Jesus calling me to feed right now? Is he calling me to feed someone with spiritual bread or with physical bread—what does the person need? What is the resource, the time, talent, or energy I have that he wishes me to put at the disposition of others? What is the community, the crowd, the person who has “nothing to eat, who is collapsing on the way, having come a great distance? (Mk. 8:3)”
How, when can I do this? Why do I keep putting it off?

Ponderings:

How am I being called to partake of the abundance of God?
You are sitting at a banquet table –let yourself feast!
Move from monitoring, watching, waiting.
Be nourished, so that you can give nourishment to others.

Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, fount of unity and peace, strengthen communion in your Church. Allow us to be your body to the World. We taste and see your goodness for you have given us your very flesh and blood which nourishes and strengthens us. Our spirits are dry and parched and you say, “Come to the table I have set before you” the wine of your blood quenches our thirst and refreshes our spirits. The flesh of your body replenishes our strength and fills us to overflowing with your Spirit of truth. We give thanks and we bless you. AMEN

Day Four – Heart of Jesus, Light of the World

I am the light of the world;
whoever follows me will not
walk in darkness.
John 8:12

Cabrinian Psalm Prayer:

The uncreated light of Jesus penetrates our souls
in the measure we are disposed to humility and charity.
We find ourselves before this divine light
in wonder and loving admiration, in peace and serenity,
wanting nothing but to please Jesus more and more.
We unite ourselves lovingly to this divine sun,
living in the world and relating to it,
for the glory of God and the good of souls,
ever seeking new means to accomplish this,
keeping our lives hidden in the Heart of Jesus.
like the life-giving sun, guides us along paths of justice and holiness.
He becomes our teacher, accompanying us along the way.
His loving light shines on us and restores us.
Having once seen this gentle light of the Heart of Jesus,
we can never be separated from his actions and inspirations.We feel drawn to the Sun and united with him. Let us seek Jesus;
when we find him, we shall find life, the sun, the sky!
Glory be…
Francesca Cabrini, Travels, October, 1895Scripture Reading: John 8: 12; 12: 35-36, 46

Called to be Light:
I am called to be light for others; therefore, how great is my responsibility to walk in the light myself. How hard this can be—how comfortable it is at times to stay in the dark, how convenient, less stressful. Light is not always a comfort—sometimes it is shocking, revealing what I would rather hide from, rather not know, rather not do. But how could I ever presume to be light to others, unless I remained consistently in the search light of God’s penetrating gaze myself? Lord, increase my desire to walk in the light. And what is it you want me to see – in myself – in others – in the place I work? How am I called to be a beam of light, a little candle for another?Ponderings:We must have the courage to acknowledge the darkness existence not only in the world but in ourselves. Admitting this, we come to see how Jesus is the light that walks in the night of our sin and turns the night into day.
Joseph Nassal: The Conspiracy Of Compassion. Forrest of Peace, Leavenworth, KS 1997

Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, radiate your light into our lives that we might become a light for others. Flame of God’s unwavering promises, redeem us, forgive us, save us, that we might bring the Good News to others. Christ of history, fulfillment of our time, enlighten our hearts and souls that we might pulse with God’s love. Enlighten our imagination that your kingdom might shine through us. AMEN

Day Five – Heart of Jesus: The Good Shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd;
the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.
Psalm Prayer: Canticle of Ezekiel: 34:11-16 John 10:14

As shepherds keep all their flocks in view
when they stand up in the middle of their scattered sheep,
so shall I keep my sheep in view.I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness.

I shall bring them out of the countries where they are;
I shall gather them together from foreign countries and bring them back to their own land.
I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel,
in the ravines and in every inhabited place in the land.
I shall feed them in good pasture, the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground.
There they will rest in good grazing ground;
They will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel
I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest.
I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong.
I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.
Glory be…Scripture Reading: John 10:14-18

Called to Shepherd:
I may have responsibility or co-responsibility for only one person or for many, but some responsibility for shepherding I have. What do I do when that one or the many are threatened by “wolves”? Can I recognize and name the wolf? Can I admit the fear that makes me neglect my responsibility? Do I seek to make the weak strong, to empower them so that they can become partners in shepherding? Do I seek out “other sheep”—who may be strange or unknown to me—for whom I may also have a responsibility to bring to good pasture?

Ponderings:

The image of shepherd describes Jesus’ relationship to his people: a covenant relationship that guides, leads, gathers, searches, cares for, watches over each one. Jesus distinguishes between good shepherds and hired hands, between shepherds who are self-effacing and those who are self-serving. Jesus indicates a pattern of “right shepherding” that he expects us to follow. How are my shepherding skills? Come to hear the gentle and trustworthy shepherd within your heart.Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, loving Shepherd of my soul, I thank you for your constant protection and for the way you guide my life. You are the Good Shepherd. You have given up your life that I might live. Help me to reach out to others with the same selfless love you have shown me. Help me to embrace my sisters and brothers. All who are different from me; all with whom I disagree, all who are in need of your love. AMEN

Day Six – Heart of Jesus: Way, Truth, and Life

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father
except through me.
John 14: 6

Cabrinian Psalm-Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, with the support of your grace, I can accomplish everything.
The goodness of your Heart tears down the walls of my ignorance and unworthiness.
Help me, Jesus, I trust in you. Enlarge, O loving Jesus, the fibers of my being.
Grant that I may plunge more deeply into you,
that I may work much for you and lead many souls to your Heart.
Thank you for the help you have granted me until now, in which you have made me feel, almost tangibly, that you are the one who acts, you are the one who does everything.
I’m not even an instrument in your hands;
you alone do everything—I am but the spectator of the great and wonderful works that you perform.
Grant that I may learn from you. I want to renew this prayer with every beat of my heart.
Jesus is everything for me… Within the embrace of Your infinite goodness, I can confidently repeat, “I can do all things in God who strengthens me.” Glory be

….F.X. Cabrini, Journal of a Trusting Heart, December, 1894

Scripture Reading: John 14: 1-7 Called to be Way, Truth, Life:

I may not be called to be a road for others to go to God, but I certainly am frequently called to be a “signpost,” one who re-orients a confused traveler, one who helps another to discern what the signs mean. This requires me to be traveling the authentic road to authentic life myself, so I can be of service to my fellow travelers. What sign am I called to give? It may be taking time to dialogue with someone, to love someone enough to reach out, even when the choices of the other seem to be heading in incomprehensible directions. Who is the person? What is the road? How can I help them read their own map?Ponderings:
‘It’s not the differences that divide us. It’s our judgments about each other that do.”
Margaret Wheatley: TURNING TO ONE ANOTHER.
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco. 2002

Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, You are the Path of Life that I must follow. You are the Word of Life that speaks to my heart and the Truth that enlightens my mind. Help me to be attentive to your voice each and every time you call, your truth that I may speak it in love. May I always listen with open heart and lively faith. AMEN

Day Seven – Heart of Jesus: The True Vine

I am the Vine,
you are the branches.
John15: 5

Cabrinian Psalm Prayer:
For a year now, I’ve been watching a grapevine .
Every time I see it, it moves me again to meditate how it represents our life.
I saw it last autumn, expertly pruned by the gardener and buried under the ground.
In the spring I saw it sprout once more, but again it was pruned:
The vine wept, but in its weeping, it was made more beautiful again.
It grew to a good height, always supported by a sturdy tree trunk.
Lovely bunches of grapes appeared, shades of violet, red and green.
After the harvest, the top of the vine once more bent to the earth.
It seemed to be expecting the gardener who would once more prune
so that it could rise again next spring.
This vine is a living example of us and has much to teach us.
The pruned and buried vine teaches us that internal and external discipline must always accompany us so that we may rise in an eternal springtime, rejoicing to imitate Jesus.
The budding of the vine indicates the eagerness with which we must grow in holiness and walk unceasingly to the mountain of the Lord.
The vine growing to new heights, shows us how we must energetically pursue a good and holy life, one that is always pleasing to God,
Glory be…
Francesca Cabrini, New Year’s Letter of 1893

Scripture Reading: John 15: 1-8

Called to Bear Fruit:

Are my achievements the ones Jesus desires of me? Or am I so busy cultivating the fruit that I desire for myself that I never consider other possibilities? What fruit does God expect of me in my community or home, in my work, in my parish or other organization? What pruning am I aware of in my life? Do I cooperate or rebel? Am I so busy protecting myself that I fail to harvest the very fruits the Lord is asking of me?

Ponderings:

How am I being called? What fruits does the tree of my life produce?

Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, fruit of the Spirit, giver of all good gifts, as you prune away all that is not healthy, not good in my life, give to me your heart so that I may act just, be compassionate, and follow you more wisely, so that I may serve you in love and in justice. AMEN

Day Eight – Heart of Jesus: Savior and Redeemer

Eternal life is this:
to know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 17:3

Cabrinian Psalm-Prayer

Vast and fruitful is the harvest field God spreads before you!
Work in it with zeal and gather abundant sheaves every day.
You are the friends of Jesus, the guardians of his treasure.
Safeguard the rights of his realm.
Generously and willingly share its crosses and concerns,
in order to guide those entrusted to your care.
Keep in mind that their souls were redeemed by Jesus’ blood
so do all in your power to lead them to his Heart.
Labor with zeal; the power of your love will endow your actions with strength and courage.
In all your actions, words and suffering, always seek God’s greater glory.
Gather together all the forces of your spirit.
Work, pray, offer up your pains, sweat, sighs,
and be vigilant in self-discipline.
Always hold high the banner “I can do all things in God who strengthens me.”
Glory be… Francesca Cabrini, Travels, Sept, 1899Scripture Reading: John 17:1-11

Called to Reconciliation:

Soon the feast of the Sacred Heart will be here; may reconciliation be the garment that I can wear to the feast. May it motivate me to identify the person or persons with whom I may need to reconcile. “The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.(Rom.5:5)” Therefore, this reconciliation is not impossible, it is empowered by a force far greater than my stubbornness, hurt feelings, long-standing grudges. If Jesus can see the good in us and in others, he also wants us to see with his eyes—to forgive and be reconciled with his heart. Who? Why? I alone know the answers. With his help, I can take the first steps—at home, at work, in the community, in the Church.

Ponderings:

So our liberation to be compassionate comes from the knowledge that we belong to God,, not ourselves, and so there’s “nothing to lose” – we are free to love as God loves.
Joseph Nassal: The Conspiracy Of Compassion. Forrest of Peace, Leavenworth, KS 1997

Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, You have told us, “I leave you peace, my peace I give you,” – you bid us to share with another the gift of your peace. Remove from our world the scourge of war. Free us from angers and jealousies, from festering resentments and covetous greed. Fill us with your Divine Spirit of peace, love, and forgiveness. AMEN

Day Nine – Heart of Jesus: Hope of the World

One of the soldiers
pierced his side with a lance
and immediately there came out
blood and water.
John 19:34

Cabrinian Psalm-Prayer

What have we to fear if the Heart of Jesus protects us?
Let us keep our gaze fixed on the wound of the Heart of Jesus.
There we shall read in characters of blood the depth and width of the love he bears us.
It will encourage us, always and every where, to hope for everything from his infinite goodness.
Our prayers are often so imperfect that they deserve to be rejected,but the loving Heart of Jesus corrects them and turns them to noble ends.
He himself asks for what is for our greater good, mercifully covering our unworthiness with his merits. Glory be…
Francesca Cabrini, Travels, June, 1895

Scripture Reading: John 19:31-37

Call To Fasting:

Today, the vigil of the feast of the Sacred Heart, the Cabrinian family is called to fast and to set aside what could be gleaned from the fasting so that all can join in the feast tomorrow. This fasting is an act of love, an act of solidarity, a witness that we do not live on bread alone but on the love that comes from his heart—tomorrow and all the days of our lives.

Ponderings:

How am I being called to be one with my brother and sisters throughout the World? Gentleness, kindness, and love are more than places to visit. They are places we can take
with us wherever we go. What has your journey been like? How have you visited these places, what have you brought with you…love only exists where freedom exists. Create
right-relationships that are equal…there you will find Love.

Prayer:

Heart of Jesus, I seek the warmth of your embrace. Come and set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love. Inflame my heart and will as you did for your chosen Son, Jesus. Make my heart, like the heart of Christ, burn with compassion for the outcast, with comfort for the lonely and all who are in need. May my heart formed, in the pattern of your heart and become a fiery furnace, where your Reign will be forged in peace and justice. AMEN