Deacon’s Corner
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Of the many Memorials and Solemnities in the month of June, it is on June 12th that we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the feast day of the Church.
Devotion to the wounded heart of Jesus has its origins in the eleventh century, when pious Christians meditated on the Five Wounds of Christ. Private devotions developed, which helped Christians to focus on the passion and death of Christ, and thus to grow in love for our Savior who had suffered and died for us.
In June, these devotions are practiced more intensely. Some wonderful practices include praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, making a consecration to the Sacred Heart or having the image of the Sacred Heart enthroned in your home.
It was not until 1670 that a French priest, Fr. Jean Eudes, celebrated the first Feast of the Sacred Heart. Around that same time, a pious sister by the name of Margaret Mary Alacoque began to report visions of Jesus. He appeared to her frequently, and in December 1673, He permitted Margaret Mary—as He once allowed Saint Gertrude—to rest her head upon His heart.
In 1675, during the octave of Corpus Christi, Margaret Mary received the vision which came to be known as the “Great Apparition.” Jesus asked that the modern Feast of the Sacred Heart be celebrated each year on the Friday following Corpus Christi, in reparation for the ingratitude of men for the sacrifice which Christ made for them. In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart became a universal feast.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
O most Holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You and with lively sorrow for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine.
Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to Your Will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
I will give peace in their families.
I will console them in all their troubles.
I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.
I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.
I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my Heart.
In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in My displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and My Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.
When we draw close to Christ in the mystery of His Heart, this enables us to dwell on the great mystery of our faith, that God IS Love. This also strengthens us and inspires us to imitate His Love and to help build the civilization of love. From the Sacred Heart of Jesus, our hearts learn meekness, humility, mercy, and love.
See you at the next Mass!
Jesus, Do in me what You must, so as to do through me, What You Will!
Dcn. Matt