The Sacred Heart of Jesus

“God is love…” -1 John 4:16

On Friday, U.S. Catholic Bishops will consecrate the U.S. to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in honor of the country’s 250th celebration. Saints, such as St. Francis of Assisi, had devotions to the Sacred Heart dating to the 12th and 13th centuries. Pope Innocent VI instituted the first Mass honoring this mystery in 1353 and St. John Eudes celebrated the first feast of the Sacred Heart in 1670. This feast became popular following St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’s visions, which provide many of the devotions practiced today. In 1856, Pope Pius IX extended the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a solemnity to the universal Church. Pope Leo XIII followed that by consecrating the world to Jesus’ Sacred Heart in 1899.

St. Margaret Mary’s visions also provide the basis for common depictions of His Sacred Heart. Jesus’ exposed heart, crowned with thorns, represents His suffering and immense love for us. The flames signify the transformative and purifying power of His love, while the cross reminds us of His redemptive sacrifice. The wound in the side is the wound caused by our sins.

Join Catholics across the country this week by participating in this national consecration to celebrate our country’s semiquincentennial! Follow that on Saturday by celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a heart inseparably connected to Jesus’ Sacred Heart. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, make our hearts like yours!

Thank You! ….to the 50+ donors who gave the gift of life at our Blood Drive! ….and to our pancake-loving parishioners who helped us raise more than $500 to support Fr. Ajeesh, scholarships, SBS and seminarians!