You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth of souls, and
the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life,
unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty
Yourself out upon us.

Amen.

Sacred Heart Novena

Fourth Day

The heart of the Savior broke during the course of the Passion.

The paschal moon that shone with fierce brilliance over the garden
was like a searchlight beating upon the sins of the parading world.
Christ saw that world, knew its horror and vileness, and broke
into a blood sweat.

Yet that heart held Him captive when the traitor came and made
Him call the betrayer friend.

Upon the loving Savior, bound, not with cords and chains, but
by His His heartstrings, fell the blows of the scourging, the
mockery of the mob, the spittle of the soldiers, the awful
humiliation of public rejection.

It was His heart rather than His head that was crowned with
thorns.

Upon the cross it was His heart that held Him fast. He loved
us and delivered Himself for us. He bore our bruises and
our infirmities. Greater love than this no man hath, that
He die for His executioners.

And that the last drop of love might flow out and the lowest
and meanest of His sinners might find safe entrance to His
heart, He offers that heart to the lance of the centurion. In
the cleft of His heart, as in the cleft of a rock, the penitent
world has found warmth, safety, and protection.

Before the suffering Christ of love we say:

The Prayer of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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. Throught the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord,
who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
God, world without end.

Amen.

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of
compassion--inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase
Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not
despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence
submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy
itself.

Amen.