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Litany of the Sacred Heart
Litanies

Litany of the Sacred Heart

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The Litany of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic prayer consisting of invocations to Jesus, honoring His divine love for humanity symbolized by His heart. Originating from devotions popularized by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, it seeks reparation for sins and a deeper union with Christ's merciful love.

Prayer Text

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. 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, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, abode 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 center 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 was 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 Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

What is the Litany of the Sacred Heart?

Devotion to the Sacred Heart grew from the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. While several versions existed, the current text was approved for public use by Pope Leo XIII in 1899. In his encyclical Annum Sacrum, he consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart, establishing this litany as a powerful and official prayer of the Church for seeking Christ's mercy and acknowledging His kingship over all creation.

What does the Litany of the Sacred Heart mean?

This litany is a deep meditation on the person of Christ, expressed through the symbol of His heart. Each title, from "burning furnace of charity" to "propitiation for our sins," explores a different facet of His divine and human love. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, Christ's human heart expresses the divine love He bears for us (CCC 478). The prayer draws us into this mystery of redemptive love, making reparation for human indifference.

When Do Catholics Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart?

This litany is central to devotions on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and throughout the month of June. It is traditionally prayed as part of the First Friday devotion in reparation for sins against the Blessed Sacrament. It is also fitting to pray when seeking consolation, a deeper understanding of Christ's love, or for the intention of making one's own heart more like His.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Litany of the Sacred Heart

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