Thousands of Catholics in preparation for the 10th National Sacred Heart of Jesus Congress and Golden Jubilee at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale from Thursday, September 5 to Sunday, September 8, 2024, begun a Novena prayers towards a successful pilgrimage and celebration.
The Novena/Masses have begun on August 27 is expected to end on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 before pilgrims depart to Tamale on September 5.
The Novena dubbed: Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has as its main intention to pray for the success of the 10th National Sacred Heart of Jesus Congress and the Golden Jubilee celebration of the establishment of the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre, Ghana slated for Thursday, 5th to Sunday, 8th September, 2024 at the Tamale Sports Stadium.
During the Novena, Masses are to be offered for a successful Congress.
The Congress expected to be attended by the Members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference is on the theme: National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre, Ghana @ 50: Building a Synodal Church, the Role of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotional Practices by the Catholic Family”
The Congress, held every five years, is organised by the National Sacred of Jesus Enthronement Centre which has extended invitation to all. Due to the Coronavirus, in 2021, the Congress wasn’t held, hence shifted to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Centre in Ghana.
A Congress and Golden Jubilee Prayer has also been composed as below:
Almighty God and Father, we thank you for the gift of our lives. We are grateful to you for the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Confraternity.
In celebrating the tenth National Sacred Heart Congress and the fiftieth anniversary of the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre at the instance of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, we recall, with trust and commitment, our mandate to coordinate, direct and promote the devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Divine Mercy of God and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We look back with grateful hearts, joy and satisfaction to the untiring efforts of our Bishops, the commitment of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons and the devotion of the Lay faithful at promoting the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the National, Diocesan, Parish levels and in Confraternities and families. We are inspired by the impact of the Confraternity over the years to promote, with the help of your grace, to collaborate with our Bishops, Clergy and Consecrated Persons in building a Synodal Church through communion and active participation in the mission of Christ and his Church. We pray that this collaboration will continue ad infinitum.
O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, may your Kingdom, in all its richness, come to Ghana as our dear country prepares to elect a President and Members of Parliament. May Ghana forever enjoy a selfless political leadership that strives for the common good for all.
O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, guide our Bishops to continue to offer inspirational leadership for your meaningful and relevant Enthronement in Ghana. May all believers and people of good will be responsible, truthful and loyal citizens who work for the good of Ghana.
O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant our Clergy and Consecrated Persons your promised power to console the faithful and to lead your Church to grow in faith, hope and love.
O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us sinners, help us to trust in you as we persevere in spreading devotion to you, your Divine Mercy and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your Mother and our Mother and grant us a successful Congress and a fruitful fiftieth anniversary celebration.
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, be the Ruler and King of our hearts, our lives and our homes. Bring peace into our troubled world. Bring healing to all the sick, wounded and afflicted. Bless our families, children, youth, students, country and the world.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom Come!
Divine Mercy, Jesus I Trust In You!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray For Us!
And may all be blessed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
By Damian Avevor
