The Sacred Heart and the Church

From the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Scripture: John 19:34

Meditation for Day 8

The eighth day meditates on the Church as born from the pierced side of Christ. The Fathers of the Church saw in the blood and water that flowed from the wounded Heart of the Lord the sacraments by which the Church lives: the Eucharist and Baptism.

Today's prayer is for the universal Church — for the Holy Father, the bishops, priests and faithful — that the Body of Christ may be renewed from its source in his Heart.

Daily Novena Prayer (recited every day)

Daily Closing Prayer — Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I consecrate to you my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring, and glorifying you. This is my unchangeable will: to belong entirely to you and to do all things for the love of you. I renounce with all my heart whatever is displeasing to you. Amen.

Pope Leo XIII consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart on June 11, 1899, in the encyclical Annum Sacrum.