Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a devotional prayer that honours the boundless love, mercy, and compassion of Christ symbolized in His Sacred Heart. Each invocation highlights a particular attribute—His holiness, patience, tenderness, and kingship—inviting the faithful to a deeper love and trust in Jesus. It serves both as a personal act of devotion and a communal prayer, fostering reflection on His sacrifice and a commitment to live according to His love.

It’s especially powerful for cultivating reparation for sins and expressing gratitude for His enduring mercy. Essentially, it’s a prayer that draws the heart closer to Christ’s own heart.

• Origin:

The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has its roots in the devotion to the Sacred Heart, which became particularly widespread in the 17th century after the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647–1690) in France. She promoted love, reparation, and trust in the mercy of Christ. The litany itself was approved for public recitation by the Church in 1899.

• Structure:

The Litany is composed of:

1. 1. Invocations to God and Christ (e.g., “Lord, have mercy…”).

   2. Titles of the Sacred Heart (e.g., “Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love…”).

   3. Supplications and petitions (asking for mercy, guidance, and protection).

   4. Closing doxology (praise and adoration).

It is typically recited aloud or silently, and often accompanied by kneeling as a sign of reverence.

• Purpose:

The litany’s main purposes are:

• • To honour the Heart of Jesus as a symbol of His divine love for humanity.

  • To express devotion, gratitude, and love to Christ.

  • To make reparation for sins and offenses against His love.

  • To seek blessings and protection through His mercy.

It is a prayer that strengthens personal devotion and draws one closer to Christ’s compassionate heart.

• Spiritual Value:

  • Deepens love for Jesus: Encourages meditation on His mercy, compassion, and sacrifice.

  • Fosters reparation: Helps believers atone for personal and societal sins.

  • Increases trust: Strengthens confidence in Christ’s loving providence.

  • Promotes devotion: Integrates into daily prayer, novenas, and the First Friday devotion.

• When to Pray:

  • Daily or weekly devotion: Especially on Fridays, in honour of the Sacred Heart.

  • First Fridays of the month: Part of the First Friday devotion, fulfilling St. Margaret Mary’s request.

  • During novenas or special intentions: Particularly when seeking mercy, healing, or spiritual renewal.

  • In communal prayer: Often recited in churches or shrines dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

Prayer:

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and centre of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Your dearly beloved Son and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers You in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Your mercy, in Your great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Amen.