(ANS – Rome) – A spiritual journey that accompanies the faithful toward the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, weaving together tradition, contemporary reflection, and prayer.

This is the proposal of the Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026, organized by the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome, the International Shrine of Devotion to the Sacred Heart, in the tradition of spirituality rooted in the revelations received by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century and in the spiritual legacy of St. John Bosco.

The title chosen for the 2026 edition, “He Has Loved Us”—a reference to Pope Francis’ encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dilexit Nos—directly evokes the heart of devotion to the Sacred Heart: contemplation of Christ’s love for humanity and the believer’s response to that love. The novena is part of a well-established tradition within the Church, yet it offers a deeply contemporary journey, built around passages from the aforementioned encyclical by Pope Francis and from Pope Leo XIV’s reflection Magnificat Humanitas.

The defining characteristic of this resource is its ability to connect the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus with the great challenges of our time. Devotion is not presented as an inward-looking practice, but as a school of Christian life capable of shaping both personal relationships and social reality.

The structure of the novena is simple yet carefully designed to encourage both personal and communal participation. Each day is introduced by a specific theme and an image of the Heart of Jesus expressed through a concise and memorable phrase: “Heart that loves, heart that calls,” “Heart that quenches the thirst for the infinite,” “Heart that accompanies,” “Heart that unites,” culminating in the final theme, “Heart that liberates, heart that becomes flesh.” These expressions form the guiding thread of the entire spiritual journey.

A brief introduction by the leaders follows, providing the key to understanding the day’s theme. The heart of each meditation consists of a passage drawn from the papal magisterium, through which an aspect of the person and love of Christ is explored in depth. Each day also includes a “Word to Remember,” highlighting the central message of the reflection, and a Gospel passage that roots the meditation in Sacred Scripture.

Particularly significant is the section dedicated to the “Attitude to Cultivate,” with selections taken from the final chapter of Magnificat Humanitas. In these pages, contemplation of the Heart of Jesus is translated into concrete choices that help build the Civilization of Love: safeguarding truth in our words, practicing justice, engaging in dialogue, developing compassion, and promoting peace. These reflections offer practical guidance for transforming prayer into a way of life.

Each day concludes with a personal intention entrusted to the Sacred Heart, followed by the Act of Consecration and a closing prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026 is therefore intended to be a pastoral resource of great value. Through accessible language, a solid theological foundation, and a well-organized, participatory structure, it invites the faithful to enter into the mystery of the Heart of Christ—not only to contemplate His love, but also to allow themselves to be transformed by it.

It is a nine-day journey leading to the Feast of the Sacred Heart and, at the same time, an invitation to a renewed experience of faith capable of illuminating daily life and human relationships.

Below you may download the English text of the 2026 Novena to the Sacred Heart.