Liturgical Leaflet for an Active Participation in the Celebration of the Eucharist

SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ă Year B

The Depth of Christ’s Love

T
oday the Church invites us to reflect on the Sacred
Heart of Jesus as one of the most touching symbols of
God’s love. This feast was established to celebrate Jesus’ ten-
der and heroic love. His divine and human love is symbolized by the
heart because such a symbol is common among most cultures.
Already in the Old Testament, we find in the words of the
Prophet Hosea how powerful and faithful God’s love is, while St.
Paul, in the New Testament, prays that we may comprehend “the
breadth and the length, the height and the depth” of Christ’s love
for us. May our Eucharistic celebration bring us to experience it ever
more deeply and empower us to reflect it in our life.

Entrance Antiphon
(To be recited only when no
Entrance Hymn is sung.)
The designs of his Heart are
from age to age, to rescue their
souls from death, and to keep
them alive in famine.
Greeting
P –The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the love of God the Fa-
ther, and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all!
All – And with your spirit!
Penitential Act
P –My brothers and sisters, to
prepare ourselves to celebrate
the sacred mysteries, let us call
to mind our sins. (Pause)
P –Lord Jesus, you died on the
cross for our sake. Lord,
have mercy!
All –Lord, have mercy!
P –Lord Jesus, from your
wounded side flowed blood
and water. Christ, have
mercy!
All –Christ, have mercy!
P –Lord Jesus, your great love
for us is beyond all compre-
hension. Lord, have mercy!
All –Lord, have mercy!
P – May almighty God have
mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
All – Amen!
Gloria
All – Glory to God in the high-
est, and on earth peace to peo-
ple of good will. We praise you,
we bless you, we adore you,
we glorify you, we give you
thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O
God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only
Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb
of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the
world, have mercy on us; you
take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer; you are
seated at the right hand of the
Father, have mercy on us. For
you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord, you
alone are the Most High, Jesus
Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen!
Collect (Opening Prayer)
P –Grant, we pray, almighty
God, that we, who glory in the
Heart of your beloved Son and
recall the wonders of his love for
us, may be made worthy to re-
ceive an overflowing measure of
grace from that fount of heavenly
gifts.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever.
All – Amen!
1st Reading Hos 11:1.3-4.8-9
Israel was like a child, cared
for and loved by God in a very
special manner. That child, how-
ever, grew rebellious and would
have deserved to be rejected.
But God held back His wrath be-
cause His love was much stron-
ger than the shortcomings of His
people.
R –A proclamation from the
Book of the Prophet Hosea
Thus says the Lord: When
Israel was a child I loved
him, out of Egypt I called my
son. Yet it was I who taught
Ephraim to walk, who took
them in my arms; I drew them
with human cords, with bands
of love; I fostered them like
one who raises an infant to his
cheeks. Yet, though I stooped
to feed my child, they did not
know that I was their healer.
My heart is overwhelmed,
my pity is stirred. I will not
give vent to my blazing anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim
again. For I am God and not
a man, the Holy One present
among you. I will not let the
flames consume you.
The Word of the Lord!
All – Thanks be to God!
Responsorial Psalm Is 12
R –You will draw water joy-
fully from the springs of
salvation!
* God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is
the Lord, and he has been my
savior. With joy you will draw
water at the fountain of salva-
tion. R.
* Give thanks to the Lord,
acclaim his name; among the
nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his
name. R.
* Sing praise to the Lord for
his glorious achievement; let
this be known throughout all
the earth. Shout with exulta-
tion, O city of Zion, for great
in your midst is the Holy One
of Israel! R.
2nd Reading Eph 3:8-12.14-19
Few people have experi-
enced God’s love as deeply as St.
Paul. In this passage he invites
the Christians of his time and us
to deepen their/our love for God
day after day.
R –A proclamation from the
Letter of Paul to the Ephe-
sians
Brothers and sisters:
To me, the very least of all
the holy ones, this grace was
given, to preach to the Gen-
tiles the inscrutable riches of
Christ, and to bring to light
for all what is the plan of the
mystery hidden from ages past
in God who created all things,
so that the manifold wisdom
of God might now be made
known through the Church to
the principalities and authori-
ties in the heavens. This was ac-
cording to the eternal purpose
that he accomplished in Christ
Jesus our Lord, in whom we
have boldness of speech and
confidence of access through
faith in him.
For this reason I kneel be-
fore the Father, from whom
every family in heaven and on
earth is named, that he may
grant you, in accord with
the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with power
through his Spirit in the in-
ner self, and that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through
faith. I pray that you, rooted
and grounded in love, may
have strength to comprehend
with all the holy ones what is
the breadth and length and
height and depth of the love of
Christ – a love which surpasses
knowledge – so that you may
be filled with all the fullness of
God.
The Word of the Lord!
All – Thanks be to God!
Gospel Acclamation 1 Jn 4:10
All –Alleluia! Alleluia!
God first loved us
and sent his Son
as expiation for our sins.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Gospel Jn 19:31-37
In this Gospel passage, John
tells us of the supreme proof of
Jesus’ love as shown in his death
on the cross for our sake. Look-
ing at Jesus crucified, we should
ask: who will not love such a
generous lover?
P – The Lord be with you!
All – And with your spirit!
P – A proclamation from the
holy Gospel according to
John
All –Glory to you, O Lord!
Since it was preparation
day, in order that the bodies
might not remain on the cross
on the sabbath, for the sabbath
day of that week was a solemn
one, the Jews asked Pilate that
the legs of the three crucified
men be broken and their bod-
ies be taken down. So the sol-
diers came and broke the legs
of the first and then of the oth-
er one who was crucified with
Jesus. But when they came to
Jesus and saw that he was al-
ready dead, they did not break
his legs. One soldier, however,
thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately blood and
water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testi-
fied, and his testimony is true;
he knows that he is speaking
the truth, so that you also may
come to believe. For this hap-
pened so that the Scripture
passage might be fulfilled: Not
one of his bones will be broken.
And again another passage
says: They will look upon him
whom they have pierced.
The Gospel of the Lord!
All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus
Christ!
Homily
Profession of Faith
(Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed)
All –I believe in one God, the Fa-
ther almighty, maker of heaven
and earth, of all things visible
and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the Only Begotten Son
of God, born of the Father be-
fore all ages. God from God,
Light from Light, true God from
true God, begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were
made. For us men and for our
salvation he came down from
heaven, (bow)* and by the Holy
Spirit was incarnate of the Vir-
gin Mary, and became man.*
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate, he suf-
fered death and was buried, and
rose again on the third day in
accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is
seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again in
glory to judge the living and the
dead and his kingdom will have
no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father and
the Son, who with the Father
and the Son is adored and glori-
fied, who has spoken through
the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, cath-
olic and apostolic Church. I
confess one Baptism for the
forgiveness of sins and I look
forward to the resurrection of
the dead and the life of the world
to come. Amen!
Prayer of the Faithful
P –God’s love was manifested
to us in the love of Jesus. He con-
tinues to love us, despite our poor
response. With humble gratitude,
let us now present our petitions
to him saying:
All –Lord Jesus, may our
hearts burn with love for
you!
C –That the Church may con-
tinue to direct her preferential
love to the poor, the needy, the
oppressed, and those who are
longing for signs of God’s love,
let us pray! R.
C –That the Holy Father through
his presence and teaching, may
bring the love of God to all, let
us pray! R.
C –That all who try to proclaim
the love of God through their dif-
ferent professions and vocations,
may not feel discouraged in the
face of setbacks, and negative
responses, let us pray! R.
C –That all of us may witness
to God’s love in our life among
our family members, neighbors,
friends, and colleagues at work,
let us pray! R.
C –That those of us who suffer
because of the selfishness of the
people of our time, may offer
our pains to the Heart of Jesus in
reparation for our own sins and
the sins of all mankind, let us
pray! R.
C –Let us pray in silence for our
personal intentions. (Pause)
Let us pray! R.
P –Lord Jesus, your heart was
pierced by the soldiers’ lance that
we might find refuge in it. Help
us to trust your love in life and in
death. You who live and love for
ever and ever.
All –Amen!
Preparation of the Gifts
P –Pray, brethren . . .
All – May the Lord accept the
sacrifice at your hands, for the
praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all
his holy Church.
Prayer over the Offerings
P –Look, O Lord, we pray, on
the surpassing charity in the
Heart of your beloved Son, that
what we offer may be a gift ac-
ceptable to you and an expiation
of our offenses.
Through Christ our Lord.
All – Amen!
Preface of the Sacred Heart
P – It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation, al-
ways and everywhere to give
you thanks, Lord, holy Father, al-
mighty and eternal God, through
Christ our Lord.
For raised up high on the
Cross, he gave himself up for
us with a wonderful love and
poured out blood and water from
his pierced side, the wellspring
of the Church’s Sacraments, so
that, won over to the open heart
of the Savior, all might draw wa-
ter joyfully from the springs of
salvation.
And so, with all the Angels
and Saints, we praise you, as
without end we acclaim:
All – Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of hosts. Heaven and
earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord. Hosanna
in the highest!
Memorial Acclamation
P –The mystery of faith!
All –Save us, Savior of the
world, for by your Cross
and Resurrection you
have set us free.
All – Our Father . . .
P –Deliver us, Lord . . .
All –For the kingdom, the
power, and the glory are
yours, now and for ever!
Sign of Peace
Breaking of the Bread
All –Lamb of God . . .
Communion
P –This is Jesus, the sign and
herald of the Father’s love. He is
the Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world. Blessed are
we who are invited to his supper.
All –Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under
my roof, but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
Communion Antiphon
(To be recited only when
no Communion Hymn is sung.)
Thus says the Lord: Let
whoever is thirsty come to me
and drink. Streams of living
water will flow from within the
one who believes in me.
Prayer after Communion
P –May this sacrament of
charity, O Lord, make us fer-
vent with the fire of holy love, so
that, drawn always to your Son,
we may learn to see him in our
neighbor.
Through Christ our Lord.
All – Amen!
P –The Lord be with you.
All – And with your spirit!
P –Bow your heads and pray
for God’s blessing. (Pause)
P – May God bestow the riches
of His grace upon you.
All – Amen!
Sacred Heart (B)
P –May you be filled with love
for the Sacred Heart of Je-
sus.
All – Amen!
P – May you mirror Jesus’ love
through deeds of mercy for
the needy.
All – Amen!
P –May almighty God bless
you: the Father, and the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All – Amen!
P –Go in peace to love and serve
the Lord in your neighbor.
All –Thanks be to God!

The Most Passionate Lover

• Jess P. Balon

A n elderly man was kneeling in prayer in front of one of those wooden crucifixes that are so common along the
roads of the French Alps.
“Why are you kneeling down in front of a statue?” asked Monsieur René Margot, the gentleman in redingote,
who had just alighted from his luxury coach and who was known in the area for his atheistic views. “Grand Pa, at your
age you should be sitting comfortably in your armchair,” continued the well-groomed aristocrat with a tone of false pity.
“Why am I kneeling down in front of this cross?” echoed the old man, turning his eyes to his interviewer. “Ask him!”
he said as he pointed at the Crucifix.
“How can I ask a statue? In any case, he’s dead! He can’t speak!” “Oh, Yes! He can! He does speak to me every
day.” “Oh, really?! And what does he tell you?” pursued the gentleman with a smile of commiseration. “He tells me: ‘I’m
here for love of you!” “I never heard his voice,” interjected the young interlocutor. “That’s because you don’t want to
hear him. But it is true, you know? And you know what? He loves you, too! He’s there for you, too, Monsieur. Don’t you
ever forget that, or laugh at it. We cost him his life!” concluded the old man.
The story has it that a week after, Monsieur René came back and laid a bouquet at the foot of the cross. When he
saw the old man, Monsieur René said, “Thank you for reminding me about something so important which my pride had
made me forget.”
There are other people, who, like
the young gentleman in the story, seem
to have forgotten that Christ gave his NOVENA PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
life for them. It is a tragic situation, for Divine Jesus, you have said, Ć „Ask, and you shall receive; Ć seek,
the world has never known a more and you shall find; Ć knock, and it shall be opened unto you.‰ Ć Behold
ardent lover than Christ. His very me kneeling at your feet, Ć filled with a lively faith and confidence Ć
coming to earth was brought about by in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart Ć and pronounced by
love for all human beings and each your adorable lips. Ć I come to ask this favor: (Silently mention your peti-
of them. For them he embraced a tions.)
life of poverty and insignificance. He To whom can I turn if not to you Ć whose heart is the source of
subjected himself to rejection, fierce all graces and merits? Ć Where should I seek if not in the treasure Ć
which contains all the riches of your kindness and mercy? Ć Where
opposition, betrayal, an unfair trial and
should I knock Ć if not at the door through which God gives himself to
an ignominious death. He accepted it us Ć and through which we go to God? Ć I have recourse to you, Heart
all in full awareness and freedom, even of Jesus. Ć In you I find consolation when afflicted, Ć protection when
though he knew that many of those persecuted, Ć strength when burdened with trials, Ć and light in doubt
for whom he was laying down his life and darkness.
would reject him disdainfully. Dear Jesus, I firmly believe Ć that you can grant me the grace I im-
Even now, in the glory of heaven, plore, Ć even though it should require a miracle. Ć You have only to will
he does not stop loving and caring for it, Ć and my prayer will be granted. Ć I admit that I am most unworthy
the good of all his brethren, including of your favors, Ć but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. Ć
those who find it convenient to follow You are the God of mercy Ć and you will not refuse a contrite heart. Ć
the easy fashion of atheism and all Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of you, Ć and your kind heart will
sorts of moral perversion. Jesus follows find in my miseries and weaknesses Ć a reason for granting my prayer.
them patiently wherever they go. He O Sacred Heart, Ć whatever may be your decision with regard to my
sends to them his messages in a most request, Ć I will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving you. Ć
creative and unpredictable manner. He My Jesus, be pleased to accept this, my act of perfect resignation Ć to
waits by the wayside or at the cross- the decrees of your adorable heart Ć which I sincerely desire may be
roads, sometimes in the guise of an old fulfilled Ć in and by me and by all your creatures for ever.
man or woman, or in the freshness of a Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ć I know that there is but one thing impos-
child. He speaks to them in the stillness sible to you: Ć to be without pity for those who are suffering or in
of a flower or the wonder of a sunset. distress. Ć Look upon me, I beg of you, dear Jesus, Ć and grant me the
grace for which I humbly implore you Ć through the Immaculate Heart
He speaks to the heart in one thousand
of your most sorrowful Mother. Ć You have entrusted me to her as her
and one ways. He speaks and waits for child, Ć and her prayers are all-powerful with you. Ć Amen!
a positive answer, sometimes for years

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