The reader is encouraged to pray the prayers below-the Holy Spirit Prayer, the Act of Consecration and the Promises of the Sacred Heart-each day, and especially before reading the messages in this book.
Holy Spirit Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting your inspirations. Amen.1
Act of Consecration: Lord Jesus, I consecrate myself to Your most Sacred Heart. You reveal Your Heart as a symbol of Your love in all its aspects, including Your most special love for me as this most unique individual. Help me always to love You in return. Help me to give myself entirely to You. Help me always to pour out my life in love of God and neighbor. Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You.
Dear Blessed Virgin Mary, I consecrate myself to your maternal and Immaculate Heart, this Heart which is symbol of your life of love. You are the Mother of my Savior. You are also my Mother. You love me with a most special love as this unique child of yours. In a return of love, I give myself entirely to your motherly love and protection. You followed Jesus perfectly. You are His first and perfect disciple. Teach me to imitate you in the putting on of Christ. Be my motherly intercessor so that, through your Immaculate Heart, I may be guided to an ever closer union with the pierced Heart of Jesus, this Jesus Who leads me ever closer to the Father in the Holy Spirit.2
Promises of Our Lord to those devoted to His Sacred Heart:
- I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their homes.
- I will comfort them in their afflictions.
- I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
- I will bestow a large blessing on all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall grow fervent.
- Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.
- I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened of hearts.
- Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
- I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the first Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments; My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.3
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1. Shepherds of Christ Handbook, Second Printing, p. 30.
2. Tell My People, Shepherds of Christ Publications, p. 81.
3. First given by Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and published in various sources.
Copyright © 1994 Shepherds of Christ.