Today is June 14, Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
We read at Holy Mass today these words from St. Paul: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ” (2 Cor 5:20).
Today I want to reflect with you on one of the most beautiful and compact treasures in our Catholic devotional life: the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This prayer might seem simple, but I believe it has the power to capture the entire Catechism in miniature. Yes, that’s a bold claim! But let me explain why.
The Litany of the Sacred Heart, composed of 33 invocations — one for each year of Jesus’ earthly life — was formally approved and promulgated by Pope Leo XIII in 1899, the very same day he consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart. Since then, the litany has become a beloved devotion for the faithful seeking to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s love.
A roadmap to seeing Jesus
What makes the Litany of the Sacred Heart so powerful is its intentional structure, which moves through key theological themes in a way that reflects the heart of the Christian faith.
Here’s how it unfolds: The Litany of the Sacred Heart begins with titles that reveal Christ’s divinity and humanity, then moves through images of temple worship, highlighting his Eucharistic presence. It continues with virtues we are called to imitate and concludes with titles pointing to Christ as our peace, salvation and eternal hope.
In this way, the litany is more than a prayer; it’s a roadmap. It leads us through doctrine, sacrament, virtue, and glory. It teaches us how to see Jesus, love Jesus and follow Jesus.
So today, I encourage you to look up the Litany of the Sacred Heart. Pray it slowly. Let each line stir something new in your heart.
Let us pray,
O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. for ever and ever. Amen.
