Guide for the Journey

Dating back to 17th-century France, the Litany of the Sacred Heart includes invocations written by Sr. Madeleine Joly of Dijon in 1686, Jesuit Fr. John Croiset in 1691, and Ven. Anne Madeleine Remuzat of Marseille in 1718. Fr. Croiset was the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque who, like Ven. Anne Madeleine and Sr. Madeleine Joly, was a nun of the Order of the Visitation. This month, as we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart (June 11), the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus provides us with a guide for calling upon Jesus as our model of compassion, love, and mercy.

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

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,…
God, the Holy Spirit,…
Holy Trinity, one God,…

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,…
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,…
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,…

Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,…
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,…
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,…
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,…

Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,…
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,…
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,…
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,…

Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,…
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,…
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead,…
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,…

Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,…
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,…
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,…
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who call upon you,…

Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,…
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,…
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with reproaches,…
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,…

Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death,…
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,…
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,…
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,…

Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,…
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,…
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in you,…
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you,…
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints,…

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like your own.

Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of your most beloved
Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which he offers
in the name of sinners; and in your great goodness, grant pardon to
those who seek your mercy, in the name of the same Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.