Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus honors the physical heart of Christ as the symbol of His divine love for humanity. This devotion reminds us that Jesus' love is not abstract—He loves us with a human heart, a heart that was pierced for our salvation.

The Sacred Heart is often depicted surrounded by flames (divine love), crowned with thorns (our sins), surmounted by a cross, and with a wound from the lance. The feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O most holy Heart of Jesus,
fountain of every blessing,
I adore You, I love You,
and with a lively sorrow for my sins,
I offer You this poor heart of mine.

Make me humble, patient, pure,
and wholly obedient to Your will.

Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You
and for You.

Protect me in the midst of danger;
comfort me in my afflictions;
give me health of body,
assistance in my temporal needs,
Your blessing on all that I do,
and the grace of a holy death.

Amen.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before Your altar.

We are Yours and Yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united to You, behold, each one of us freely consecrates ourselves today to Your Most Sacred Heart.

Many, indeed, have never known You; many, too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.

Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever. Amen.

Short Prayers to the Sacred Heart

Ejaculation:
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.

Act of Love:
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I give myself to You through Mary.

For Reparation:
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Act of Trust:
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Your goodness.

The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart

Jesus revealed these promises to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque for those devoted to His Sacred Heart:

  1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
  2. I will give peace in their families.
  3. I will console them in all their troubles.
  4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.
  5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
  6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
  7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
  8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
  9. I will bless those places where the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.
  10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
  11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in My Heart.
  12. I promise you, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in that last moment.

First Friday Devotion

Jesus asked that we honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of each month by:

  • Going to Confession
  • Receiving Holy Communion in reparation for sins
  • Spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
  • Making an act of consecration to the Sacred Heart

The "Great Promise" (the 12th promise) assures that those who receive Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays will receive the grace of final perseverance—they will not die without the sacraments.

Related Prayers