Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
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The Solemnity Of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the Friday after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). For the 2021 Liturgical Calendar, this Solemnity is celebrated on Friday, June 16th, 2023.
This is a moveable Solemnity that honors the Sacred Heart. In 1675, Jesus told Saint Margaret Mary that He wanted the Feast of the Sacred Heart to be celebrated on the Friday after the Corpus Christi octave. In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart became a universal feast.
St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.”
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“In biblical language, ‘heart’ indicates the center of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell.
In the Heart of the Redeemer, we adore God’s love for humanity, his will for universal salvation, his infinite mercy. Practicing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ therefore means adoring that Heart which, after having loved us to the end, was pierced by a spear and from high on the Cross poured out blood and water, an inexhaustible source of new life.”- Pope Benedict XVI, June 5, 2005
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What is the history of the Sacred Heart devotion?
Devotion to the wounded heart of Jesus has its origins in the eleventh century, when pious Christians meditated on the Five Wounds of Christ. There grew up among the faithful prayers to the Sacred Heart, prayers to the Shoulder Wound of Christ—private devotions 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.
It was not until 1670, however, that a French priest, Fr. Jean Eudes, celebrated the first Feast of the Sacred Heart.
Around the 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 had once allowed Saint Gertrude—to rest her head upon his Heart. As she experienced the comfort of his presence, Jesus told her of his great love and explained that he had chosen her to make his love and his goodness known to all.
The following year, in June or July of 1674, Margaret Mary reported that Jesus wanted to be honored under the figure of His Heart of flesh. He asked the faithful to receive Him in the Eucharist frequently, especially on the First Friday of the month, and to observe a Holy Hour of devotion to Him.
And then 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 had made for them.
The devotion became popular after Saint Margaret Mary’s death in 1690. However, because the Church is always careful in approving a private apparition or devotion, the feast was not established as an official feast for all of France until 1765.
On May 8, 1873, the devotion to the Sacred Heart was formally approved by Pope Pius IX; and 26 years later – on July 21, 1899 – Pope Leo XIII urgently recommended that all bishops throughout the world observe the feast in their dioceses.
- National Catholic Register
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“We must never be discouraged or give way to anxiety... but ever have recourse to the adorable Heart of Jesus.”
- Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
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Depiction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is typically rendered in Catholic artwork as a bright red anatomical human heart with flames and a halo of divine light.
- The heart is pierced and bleeding, alluding to the manner of Jesus’ death.
- The heart is surrounded by a crown of thorns, symbolizing His passion.
- Atop the heart is a cross, representing redemption, suffering, and faith.
-The heart is aflame, signifying purification and spiritual power.
The whole symbol shines with rays of light, showing the holiness and splendor of the Lord.
In some depictions, the heart is seen radiating from within the chest of Jesus Christ as He points to it and invites worship.
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In the Month of June
The month of June is a month when this devotion is 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. These devotions are not just some relics of the past. They have continued relevance today. 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.
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Readings of the Mass
SELECT HERE for the Audio recording of the Readings of June 16th, 2023. Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
SELECT HERE for the Readings of June 16th, 2023. Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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What is the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus?
The Heart is the symbol of human love. This Catholic devotion honors the Sacred Heart of Our Lord, through which was manifested to us God’s eternal love for everyone. “God is Love” (1 John 4:8), and so in honoring the human expression of that Love, especially on the Cross, we honor Its Divine Source.
Why is the Sacred Heart important?
Saint John Paul II said, “The Sacred Heart has given us everything — redemption, salvation, sanctification.”
The Sacred Heart is the actual heart of Christ and also indicates His love for humanity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The prayer of the Church venerates and honors the Heart of Jesus just as it invokes his most holy name. It adores the incarnate Word and his Heart which, out of love for men, he allowed to be pierced by our sins.” (CCC 2669)
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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.
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"In the Sacred Heart every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is hidden. In that Divine Heart beats God’s infinite love for everyone, for each one of us individually.”
– Saint John Paul II
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Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing,
I adore you, I love you and will a 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 blessings on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.
Within your heart I place my every care.
In every need let me come to you with humble trust saying,
Heart of Jesus, help me.
Amen.
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“If I cannot see the brilliance of your Face or hear your sweet voice, O my God, I can live by your grace, I can rest on your Sacred Heart!”
– Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
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