The Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Entering the Furnace of Charity

The Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a profound journey into the very depths of Christ’s love for each one of us. Each invocation draws us closer to the “burning furnace of charity,” inviting us to conform our hearts to His. To live this devotion deeply, one must realize that the Litany is not a standalone prayer but a key component of a larger life of consecration. To explore the deeper theological roots of this practice, see our guide on devotion to the Sacred Heart: Intimacy Rooted in Love and Mercy.

The Litany of the Sacred Heart

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
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 Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, 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, sacred 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, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, wellspring of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, 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 dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was 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 most merciful, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke you, 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, overwhelmed with insults, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, 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 of sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in you, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all 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 your dearly beloved Son and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers you in the name of sinners and for those who seek your mercy; be appeased, and grant us pardon in the name of the same Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart

When Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, He didn’t just ask for our love; He offered His in return through 12 specific promises to those who honor His Sacred Heart. These range from peace in families to consolation in death. (Read the full list of 12 promises)

One of the most powerful ways to claim these promises for your family is through the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, a ceremony that formally invites Jesus to be the King and center of your home, specifically fulfilling the ninth promise: “I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored.”

Living the Devotion: Monthly and Annual Traditions

Devotion to the Sacred Heart isn’t reserved for a single day. While we honor Him every First Friday, the Church dedicates the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart to celebrate the depth of His mercy.

Plan your spiritual journey for the summer with our resource on June: Dedicated to the Sacred Heart, featuring feast days, specific prayers, and practical ways to grow in love throughout the month.

Preparing for the Feast: The Novena

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (celebrated 19 days after Pentecost) is the liturgical pinnacle of this devotion. Tradition encourages a Novena—nine consecutive days of prayer—to prepare our souls for this Great Feast.

Begin your preparation today with our Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which includes the daily meditations and petitions famously used by saints like Padre Pio to obtain “impossible” graces.

History & Symbolism: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

The modern form of this devotion was sparked in the 17th century through a series of visitations to a Visitation nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in Paray-le-Monial, France.

Understanding the Imagery:

• The Flame: Represents the intensity of His burning love for us.
• The Cross: Reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice made on Calvary.
• The Thorns: Symbolize the sins of humanity that continue to wound His heart.

FAQ Section 

Who wrote the Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

The current version of the Litany was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1899. It is largely based on a version composed by Sister Anne-Madeleine Rémuzat in 1718 during a plague in Marseilles.

How do I enthrone the Sacred Heart in my home?

Enthronement involves placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a place of honor in your home and reciting a formal act of consecration. You can find the full ritual and preparation steps in our Enthronement Guide.

What is the First Friday devotion?

The First Friday devotion stems from a promise made to St. Margaret Mary: those who receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays will receive the grace of final repentance and the sacraments before death.