O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by my ingratitude, pierced by my sins, yet loving me still – accept the consecration that I make to You of all that I am and all that I have. Take every faculty of my soul and body. Draw me, day by day, nearer and nearer to Your Sacred Heart, and there, as I can bear the lesson, teach me Your blessed ways. Amen.

Sweet Jesus, I have been so looking forward to this day, as each days prayer was more powerful than the day before! I felt you compelling me to pray and share it with my friends. It was different with these prayers – you know I’ve prayed novenas before and often lost track of them during the nine days. Your grace brought it forward for me every day. Thank you.

This morning I was beaming the day was here – you saw the joy on my face as I moved over to my prayer chair and greeted you. Such profound peace, especially after harder days earlier this week. I came to you then in Mass, my heart bursting with faith and belief that I was exactly where you wanted me to be. The beauty of receiving you in the consecrated host was a gift beyond what I can express in words. You know my heart and how it is singing!

Come to me, you said in today’s Gospel, come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. This little circle of your love was in my parents things after they passed on. Why did it not get lost for oh so many years of having it? For such a time as this I think as I read your words; Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. Now my soul can hear your voice; Here is my heart; I hold it, I show it to you, it is yours. My heart burns for yours. Will you be on fire for me? Yes, Lord, I cannot be anything but yours.

I am amazed at all you have given me this week. I have so much to learn, growing to do and trust to give over to you.

I am once more awakened to your gift of the Sacraments poured out from your pierced heart. Your Eucharistic body is my lifeline in this upside world. It is like super-food for my soul. Knowing I can lay down my burdens in reconciliation encourages me to keep my eyes on you and away from fear and anxiety for the failures of not being present to you. It feels like the first time I’m actually looking forward to meeting you there, not dreading it.

Help me, Father, to always pick up the cross you have given me and lay down the ones I chose on my own. Continue to show me your plan for my life and to let go of mine. Show me the way to draw upon the persistence you place in my heart to be ever so close and follow you, in loving my neighbor. I beg you to hear my cries of confusion when I lose my step and O Lord take my hand so I may know you are there. Lead me to always believe the words you spoke were meant for me; for my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

Help me to be your little girl again, coming to her Father, trusting and relying only on you.