(Every first Friday)
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before Thy altar. We are thine and thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united with thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to thy most Sacred Heart.
Many indeed have never known thee; many too, despising thy precepts, have rejected thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to thy Sacred Heart.
Be thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
But we now sincerely repent for having offended you, our loving Father. Tonight we strongly resolve to keep Thy commandments, to practice the virtues of true Christianity and to attend with greater attention to our resolutions and good intentions that we may more easily walk the way of salvation. Be thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: “Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honour for ever. Amen.
Prayer Text with Explanation
1. “Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before Thy altar.”
Explanation:
This opening line acknowledges Jesus as the “Redeemer of the human race,” recognizing Him as the Savior who delivered humanity from sin. The phrase “humbly prostrate before Thy altar” symbolizes the act of deep reverence and submission before the Lord. Prostration is a physical gesture of humility and surrender, a common practice in liturgical and personal prayer to show complete dependence on God’s mercy.
2. “We are thine and thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united with thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to thy most Sacred Heart.”
Explanation:
Here, the faithful express their desire to belong wholly to Jesus. The word “consecrate” means to set apart or dedicate oneself to a holy purpose. By consecrating themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, they commit to living in close union with Him, acknowledging His love and seeking to live in accordance with His will.
3. “Many indeed have never known thee; many too, despising thy precepts, have rejected thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to thy Sacred Heart.”
Explanation:
This section offers a prayer for those who have never encountered Jesus or have rejected Him. It reflects on the reality of unbelief or indifference and asks for divine mercy for those who are far from God. The faithful petition Jesus to draw all souls—believers and non-believers—closer to His Sacred Heart, a symbol of His boundless love and compassion.
4. “Be thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.”
Explanation:
This passage draws inspiration from the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). It acknowledges that some have wandered from their faith, like the prodigal son who left his father’s home. The prayer is for these individuals to return to God’s loving embrace before they suffer spiritually. The plea is for God’s kingship to extend to all, especially those who need conversion and reconciliation.
5. “But we now sincerely repent for having offended you, our loving Father.”
Explanation:
In this line, the faithful express repentance for their sins. It is a heartfelt acknowledgment of having offended God through disobedience, followed by a deep desire to amend their lives. Repentance is crucial in Christian teaching, as it opens the path for forgiveness and renewal.
6. “Tonight we strongly resolve to keep Thy commandments, to practice the virtues of true Christianity and to attend with greater attention to our resolutions and good intentions that we may more easily walk the way of salvation.”
Explanation:
Here, there is a pledge to live a more virtuous life by following the commandments and practicing the teachings of Christianity. This commitment is not taken lightly but with “greater attention” to ensure that good intentions are carried out in action. The “way of salvation” is the path of living according to God’s will, ultimately leading to eternal life with Him.
7. “Be thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.”
Explanation:
This petition is for those who have been led astray by false teachings or division. The prayer asks for Christ’s kingship to reign over their hearts and minds, bringing them back to the truth of the Gospel. It echoes Jesus’ desire for unity among believers, referenced in John 10:16, where Jesus speaks of one flock and one Shepherd—meaning all are united under His care.
8. “Grant, O Lord, to thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: ‘Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honour for ever. Amen.'”
Explanation:
In the closing, the faithful pray for the protection of the Church from external harm and for the peace of all nations. This request is grounded in the belief that only through Christ can true peace and order be established. The prayer concludes with a call for universal praise of the Sacred Heart, recognizing it as the source of salvation and offering glory and honor for all eternity.
This prayer is a profound expression of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, incorporating themes of repentance, consecration, and intercession. By consecrating oneself to the Sacred Heart, the believer invites Christ to reign in their hearts and asks for the conversion of souls, peace in the world, and protection for the Church. This prayer is typically recited in the context of the First Friday devotion, a tradition rooted in the promises of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
