
“I cannot let the first Titular Feast of the Congregation pass without addressing you a few lines,” Fr. Sorin announces in his June 20, 1879 Circular, “were it only to invite you all to thank the Sacred Heart for the many precious blessings we have drawn already from this inexhaustible centre of all graces, since the 23d of April.”
The 23rd of April. That was the day that the main building burned to the ground — a “calamity,” as described by Fr. Sorin, that was “calculated to ruin us, had we relied only on human wisdom and ordinary resources.” But, as we know, it was not a day for the Notre Dame community to yield to doubts and apprehensions.
One hundred forty-two years later, Notre Dame has bypassed honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus during the month that the Church dedicates to the entire mystery of Christ represented in it. Instead, the university has elected to celebrate “Pride Month,” a phenomenon embracing an agenda that in so many ways is directly opposed to the teaching of the Church. In response, following the example of Fr. Sorin we propose a Novena in honor of the Sacred Heart by all those who love Notre Dame and value her Catholic identity.
More than ever, let us place our hopes and prayers and needs in the Sacred Heart. (The Very Reverend Edward Sorin, C.S.C.)
Sacred Heart Novena, June 21-29, 2021
In adoration, reparation, and love for Notre Dame
We join our novena to the great prayer of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Pope Pius XI found in his encyclical Miserentissimus Redemptor.
Opening Prayer (from Miserentissium Redemptor)
O sweetest Jesus, whose overflowing charity towards men is most ungratefully repaid by such great forgetfulness, neglect and contempt, see, prostrate before Thy altars, we strive by special honor to make amends:
Daily Prayer
Heart of Jesus, infinite fountain of truth and love, humbly we prostrate before Your throne of mercy.
We surrender to You in faith, we cling to You in hope, we offer You our love.
You revealed Your Heart as one which so loves mankind but is so little loved in return. You invite us to comfort and console You in light of the offenses and injuries constantly directed toward You.
Loving Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer for ourselves, for our families, for Your Church and for our beloved Notre Dame.
Forgive our sins and transgressions, grant us the grace of conversion of heart and sanctify us in the truth, of which you are the infinite font.
Where we have betrayed You, grant that we may repair the damage caused; where we have abandoned or neglected You, grant that we may return to You with compassion and genuine concern.
As the truth and dignity of the human person which You have revealed are more and more rejected, mocked and scorned, give us the courage to bear faithful witness to the divine image in which we have been created and the eternal destiny to which we have been called.
O Sacred Heart, burning furnace of love and victim for our sins, do not abandon us in our plea, but graciously come to our aid.
We place all our trust in You and Your unfailing faithfulness to Your promises of mercy and grace. May we always be receptive to the gifts of life, truth and love which You abundantly share with us. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, pray for us!*
(Rev. John J. Raphael, ND ’89)
*Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is the official name of Sacred Heart Basilica.
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