Sacred Heart of Jesus and reception of Holy Communion

St. Theresa has often said that the day Jesus, Son of God instituted the Holy Eucharist and Priesthood is the ‘Day of Love.’ Let us examine how this sacrament was instituted. On the night He was handed over, Jesus took bread in his pure and holy hands, lifted up His eyes to Heaven, to You the adorable Father, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying: “This is my body which is broken for You for the forgiveness of sins. Take this all of you and eat it.” Likewise, taking the cup, He gave thanks, blessed it, and gave it to them saying: This is my Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. Take this all of you and drink from it.”

O devotees of Sacred Heart! Listen to the sweet voice of Jesus. He is present in this Holy Sacrament for us to approach Him often and eat and drink His Body and Blood. He has promised remission of sins, and everlasting life to those who eat His Body. For Jesus himself has proclaimed,” Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day.”(John 6:54) Hence our fathers decided in the ‘Council of Trent’ that believers should if possible receive Holy Eucharist daily.

In the words of St. Margaret Mary,” I earnestly desire to receive the Holy Communion. If I have to cross over fire to receive Jesus in the communion I will gladly do so. I am ready to accept all the sorrows of the world than losing this eternal bliss.” In this context let us see what St. Francis de Sales thinks:” For the sanctity of the righteous, for the repentance of sinners, for zealous priests, for the stability of religious in vocation, for the health of the sick, and for the married in fulfilling their commitments, the worthy reception of communion is the right way.” Jesus has instituted seven sacraments. But He has showered His blessings only partly in all of them except in the Holy Eucharist. Here, He gives Himself fully as a remedy for our infirmities and as divine food to sustain our weakness so that we may nourish the life of grace and being more and more purified may attain everlasting happiness in heaven.

All you devoted soul! Let us receive this Living Bread with humility, faith and devotion. Let us knock unceasingly on the Sacred Heart present in the Holy Eucharist to find strength and antidote for daily faults and anxiety.

INVOCATION (JAPAM)

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, present in regal sacrament of the Holy Eucharist! O Divine Banquet, full of goodness! Bread of Angels! Delight of heavenly hosts! I adore You. I love You with my whole heart. I firmly believe that You are truly present in the Eucharist. Lord! Words cannot recount the infinite grace You pour upon me. Who can worthily receive You considering Your unmatched glory? Eternal Father Jesus! Patient and full of mercy, fill me with Your grace. Let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon You worthily. O sweetest Jesus! Let my last words be to call upon You and Your most beloved Mother and my last morsel Your Divine Body which is the living Bread. Lord! Help me to obtain these favors.

Grant to Your Church, O Lord, assurance of freedom, protect our Supreme Pontiff and make haste that all may know the haven of truth, and have unity of faith, so that there may soon be one fold and one Shepherd! Lord, be merciful to the unfortunate sinners, console the souls in Purgatory and be merciful to me, your unworthy servant. O Immaculate Heart of Mary, O Mother of all blessings, I firmly believe that through your powerful intercession, all my prayers and petitions will be granted. Amen

[ 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory be..]

The Litany of the Sacred Heart

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Substantially united to the Word of God, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Of Infinite Majesty, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of charity, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Vessel of Justice and love, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Full of goodness and love, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all virtues, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Most worthy of all praises, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, In whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, In Whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Divinity,

Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Of whose fullness we have all received, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Desire of the everlasting hills, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Patient and abounding in mercy, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Rich unto all who call upon Thee, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Fountain of life and holiness, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Atonement for our sins, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Filled with reproaches, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Bruised for our offenses, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Made obedient unto death, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a lance, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Our Life and Resurrection, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and Reconciliation, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who hope in Thee, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Hope of those who die in Thee, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Delight of all the Saints, Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thine most-beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

SHORT INVOCATION

O Sacred Merciful Heart of Jesus, May You be loved.

GOOD DEED(SALKRIYA)

In reparation for all the cruel indifference and injuries to which the Sacred Heart is everywhere subject, confess your sins and receive Holy Communion.