IHM Novena 2026
Novena Talks
- Audio talks will be posted by noon the following day.
June 4 - Mary, Mother of the Church
June 5 - Mary, Refuge of Sinners
June 6 - "My Immaculate Heart will Triumph"
June 7 - Our Lady of the Eucharist
June 8 -
June 9 - Our Lady of Champion
June 10 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Patroness of the Americas
June 11 - The Immaculate Conception - Patroness of the United States
June 12 - Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Novena Prayer
O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, ever Virgin!
O Heart most pure, most noble, most perfect image of the adorable Heart of Jesus!
We humbly entreat you to intercede for us and to obtain for us the favors we petition for in this novena, if it be the holy will of God to grant them, and if not, to ask for us whatever graces we most need.
(Pause for private intentions said in silence.)
We desire by this novena, which we offer in your honor, that you will always be, after the Heart of Jesus, the object of our love and devotion. Through your Immaculate Heart we offer to your divine Son all our thoughts, words and actions of this day and all our days.
We pray for Leo, our pope, for our bishops, for all priests and for the conversion of all sinners.
We beg your powerful intercession for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Through your maternal Heart, we ask God's blessings upon our families, upon all who have been good to us for the Lord's sake, for all the living and the dead who are dear to us and for all for whom we have been asked to pray.
V. Hail Mary…
R. Holy Mary…
V. Immaculate Heart of Mary,
R. Pray for us.
V. Refuge of Sinners,
R. Pray for us.
V. O Mary conceived without sin,
R. Pray for us who have recourse to you.
V. May Mary's Heart Immaculate,
R. Be forever praised.
On the last day of the novena, pray...
The Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, according to the heart of God, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, united to the Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, organ of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, sanctuary of the Divine Trinity, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, tabernacle of God Incarnate, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, immaculate in your conception, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, full of grace, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, blessed among all hearts, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, throne of glory, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, most humble, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, holocaust of Divine Love, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, fastened to the Cross with Jesus Crucified, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, hope of the agonizing, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, meek and humble of Heart,
Make our hearts according to the Heart of Jesus.
Let us pray:
O most merciful God, who for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the wretched, has made the Immaculate Heart of Mary most like in tenderness and pity to the Heart of Jesus, grant that we, who now commemorate her most sweet and loving heart, may by her merits and intercession, ever live in the fellowship of the hearts of both Mother and Son, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sister Mary Catherine's Book on Cardinal Newman
It is with great joy the IHM Sisters announce the publication of Sister Mary Catherine Blanding's book on St. John Henry Newman. This book has been the work of much prayer and study of the life of Cardinal Newman. It has been Sister's desire to bring to the public the great genius of this newly declared Doctor of the Church. He is truly a Saint for our time and one that everyone can relate to and imitate.
In addition to her book, Sister has been writing reflections each month over a different sermon of St. John Henry Newman. To see those reflections, go to Heart Speaks to Heart
To order a copy of Sister's book, please visit: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/catholicheart/
Please check back at this page to see where the book is appearing as well as interviews with Sister Mary Catherine.
Sister Mary Catherine featured on https://vocationblog.com/
For additional articles by Sr. Mary Catherine, see the following:
Spiritual Direction: “The Art of Arts”
Fasting as a Path to Discernment
The Newest Church Doctor: A Man of Deep Sensitivity
IHM Sister featured on Vocation Podcast
Sr. Mary Jane Frances had the privilege of sharing their vocation stories on the diocesan podcast "About 4'Clock". Below you can hear their stories as well as access other vocational stories.
Sr. Mary Jane Frances
https://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/about4/guest-sr-mary-jane-frances-ihm-about-4-o-clock-podcast/
May 13, 2026 - Our Lady of Fatima Procession
You are invited!
Saturday, April 4, 2026 - Sorrowful Mother Vigil
Sr. Mary Catherine Blanding, IHM featured on Spiritual Direction.com
In the midst of this Lenten season, there are so many ways one can offer sacrifices and grow closer to our Lord. Sr. Mary Catherine, drawing from several sources, especially Cardinal Newman, gives insight into a powerful way to experience our Lenten journey. See her article:
IHM Featured on IRL Twelve Days of Christmas
Beginning Christmas day, the Institute on Religious Life has been featuring different religious communities and how they celebrate the Christmas season. The Sisters were featured on January 5, 2026.
Each article is available through: https://www.facebook.com/instituteonreligiouslife/
Mother Cecilia Marie featured on IRL Podcast
Recently, Mother Cecilia Marie was interviewed on the Institute on Religious Life podcast, Ever Ancient Ever New. She spoke about how she came to the IHM Sisters, the history of the Sisters, details about the habit and the Sisters' schedule.
https://instituteonreligiouslife.podbean.com/e/63-affiliate-in-focus-with-mother-cecilia-marie-ihm/
October 13, 2025 - Our Lady of Fatima Procession
Please join us on Sunday, October 13th at 6:00pm for our annual Our Lady of Fatima Procession. See flyer for more details.
Sister Mary Clare, IHM - Rest in Peace
Watch Funeral Mass (click here).
Sister Mary Clare Johnson, IHM, ran to meet her Divine Bridegroom in the early hours of September 23, 2025, surrounded by her religious community. She was supported by the many graces of our faith, especially the Anointing of the Sick and the Apostolic Pardon. Sister Mary Clare had been professed for 37 years, living nearly 40 years of her life in the convent.
Sister Mary Clare was born Brenda Johnson, the oldest daughter of Paul and Joyce, in Whittier, California on March 17, 1961. Soon, she was joined by two sisters, Donna and Jenise. They enjoyed life in California, especially raising horses.
While she was brought up in the Christian faith, it was through friends and acquaintances that she learned about the Catholic Church. There was a spark in her soul that always wanted to know more. Finally, she was able to attend St. Lucy’s Priory for her senior year of high school and this satisfied her deep longing for the truth. Before graduating, she was baptized, confirmed and received her first Holy Communion at St. Frances of Rome Church in Aousa, California. After high school, she worked in banking and showing dogs.
It was not long before she answered the call Jesus had spoken into her heart and entered religious life. She visited different communities but her heart rested with the California Institute of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; she entered in 1986 and professed her vows in 1988. In 1998, while in Spain celebrating the 150th anniversary of Fr. Joaquin Masmitja’s foundation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sister Mary Clare met five IHM’s from Wichita. Her desire to deeper live the IHM charism led her to the IHM’s in Wichita.
She transferred to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Wichita in 2003, shortly after the passing of Sister Giovanni Oliveri, IHM, our last Sister from California. Sister Mary Clare’s arrival at this time was a great grace as she provided a connection to the community’s California roots, a gift the community realized again and again. Her transfer was complete on June 10, 2008, when she renewed her “yes” to Jesus as a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Wichita. In 2013, she celebrated her silver jubilee of religious profession.
After her initial formation in California, Sister Mary Clare pursued studies in psychology with a view of doing social work. She was a gifted listener and always open to helping others through their difficulties. After earning a Master’s degree in Education and Administration, this ability was soon put to use in the classroom and as a principal. Sister would go on to also earn a Master’s degree in Theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.
Sister Mary Clare was an exceptional teacher. She poured so much of herself into her teaching; she wanted them to know the Catholic faith and God’s love for them. Thousands of young people were influenced by her presence in the classroom. Before coming to Wichita, she taught in both California and Arizona. In the Diocese of Wichita, she served at St. Francis of Assisi, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Peter, all in Wichita; St. Mary Elementary, Pittsburg and Holy Cross, Hutchinson. Sr. Mary Clare was currently teaching middle school Religion at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Goddard. In 2016, she received the diocesan St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Distinguished Teacher Award.
Her gifts extended to mentoring new teachers; she would take many under her wing to guide and assist them. Education students would observe her in the classroom (many of them her own Sisters) and be inspired by her gifted teaching.
More than teaching was Sister Mary Clare’s love of Jesus. She had committed her life to our Lord and was dedicated to Him and His Blessed Mother each day. She was faithful to her daily meditation, Holy Mass, Holy Hour, Rosary and other prayers. She wanted to give Him her whole self. She chose St. Clare of Assisi as her patroness for she wanted to imitate the saint’s love for the Eucharist, her simplicity and joyfulness. Sister cherished her time before the Blessed Sacrament.
Her Sisters will miss her kindness, charity and dedication. She was always willing to help another Sister with a project, especially sewing; she had an eye for making projects look perfect! She was attentive to anything the Sisters needed, and most especially, through her prayers. She would respond to prayer requests with a prompt email or write a thoughtful note with promises of prayer.
She loved spending time with her Sisters and would generously lend a helping hand in the kitchen. She loved going on walks, enjoying the silence and beauty of nature. Her family summed up Sister Mary Clare’s being, “Her presence brought comfort, her faith brought strength, and her love brought joy to family friends and parishioners alike.”
Sister Mary Clare is survived by her religious family of 33 Sisters, her mother, Joyce Wenzel, her sisters, Donna (Tim) O’Callaghan and Jenise (Francisco) Lopez; her nieces, Jennifer Koelsch, Lisa Montgomery, Brenna and Meghan O’Callaghan, Cassandra Valencia, Sarah Fuentes; her nephews, Sean O’Callaghan, Dominic De Santo, Angel and Noah Fuentes; aunt Betty (John) Coventry and Bonny Collins. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Johnson, Jr, and her step-father, Dave Wenzel.
Rosary will be 7:00 pm, Friday, September 26, 2025, with Funeral Mass at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 27, 2025, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Services will be lived streamed and available for viewing by clicking on the link below. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 3550 North 167th Street West, Colwich, Kansas 67030.
May Jesus, her most loving Spouse have mercy on her.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.