In the Catholic Church, a votive Mass is a Mass offered for a special intention.
Traditionally, the practice is that on the 1st Fridays of the month, when there is no special feast, the Mass is offered in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
One of the promises of Jesus to those devoted to His Sacred Heart is that those who actively participate in the 1st Friday Mass will be granted the grace of final repentance and His Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.
Besides the intentions offered in this Mass, we offer this Mass in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and we give thanks for His love and mercy.
We also express our repentance and make reparation for our sins and the sins of humanity against God and against the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Through His Sacred Heart, Jesus reaches out to sinners and His pierced Heart continues to pour out love, mercy and forgiveness.
In this Mass in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us give thanks and let us pray for forgiveness for our sins and the conversion of sinners.
May we also learn the meaning of God's mercy and may we be witnesses of God's mercy to others.