This is the proposal of the Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026, organised 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 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century and in the spiritual legacy of Saint John Bosco.

The title chosen for the 2026 edition, “He has loved us” (a reference to Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dilexit Nos), directly evokes the core of devotion to the Sacred Heart: the contemplation of Christ’s love for humanity and the believer’s response to this love. The novena is part of a well-established tradition of 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 feature of this resource is precisely its ability to link the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus to the great challenges of our time. Devotion is not presented as an inward-looking practice, but as a school of Christian life capable of influencing personal relationships and social reality.

The structure of the novena is simple yet carefully crafted, 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 easily memorable phrase: “Heart that loves, heart that calls”, “Heart that quenches the thirst for the infinite”, “Heart that accompanies”, “Heart that unites”, right up to the concluding “Heart that liberates, heart that becomes incarnate”. These expressions form the central thread of the entire spiritual journey.

Following this, a brief introduction by the guides provides the key to understanding the daily theme. The heart of the meditation consists of a passage taken from the papal magisterium, through which an aspect of the person and love of Christ is explored in depth. Each stage then offers a “Word to remember”, intended to highlight the central message of the day, and a Gospel passage that allows the reflection to be rooted in Scripture.

Particularly significant is the section dedicated to the “Attitude to Cultivate”, all taken from the final chapter of Magnifica Humanitas. In these pages, contemplation of the Heart of Jesus translates into concrete choices for building the Civilisation of Love: guarding the truth in words, practising justice, engaging in dialogue, developing compassion, promoting peace. These are guidelines that help the faithful to transform 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 the final prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026 is thus intended to be a pastoral tool of great value. Through accessible language, a solid theological foundation and an orderly, participatory structure, it invites us to enter into the mystery of the Heart of Christ, not only to contemplate his love, but also to allow ourselves to be transformed by it.

A nine-day journey leading up to the Feast of the Sacred Heart and, at the same time, offering a renewed experience of faith capable of illuminating daily life and human relationships.

At the bottom of the page, you can download the Italian text of the 2026 Novena to the Sacred Heart.