Evening Novena For Pope John Paul II

Note: Because of a Blogger problem, I was unable to publish my Novena last night.

Sacred Heart Novena

-- Sixth Day

As the symbol of love, Christ has chosen the heart, the favorite symbol of human speech.

It was His human heart, still pierced with the spear of Calvary, still open to welcome returning sinners.

Around that heart was twined the crown of thorns; for though Christ is indeed king, He is a king who won His kingdom along the bloody course of love.

From the heart leap up living flames. They are like the tongues that descended upon the Apostles when the Spirit of love came to inflame them for the apostolate. These flames are restless, as love is always restless; but while, like fire, they warm and light, they do not burn or destroy or even smudge.

A tiny cross, that unfailing symbol of God's love even unto death, surmounts the heart.

Catholics everywhere have looked upon the heart of the Savior and have known that it was offered to them. God's heart was theirs for the asking, theirs if only they would give their own worthless hearts in exchange.

Before the symbol of the Sacred Heart we say:

O God, who in the heart of thy Son, wounded by our sins, dost deign mercifully to bestow upon us the infinite treasures of thy love, grant, we beseech thee, that we who now pay Him the devout homage of our piety may also perform the duty of worthy satisfaction. Through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Amen.