The Sacred Heart of Jesus
An excerpt from the Catholic Company: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most popular Catholic devotions. Although it was beloved in previous centuries, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673, showing her a vision of the now-famous image of His Sacred Heart, surrounded by flames. He said to her: “My Heart is so full of love for men that It can no longer contain the flames of Its burning love. I must discover to men the treasures of My Heart and save them from perdition.” She was given the special mission to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart throughout the Church. Jesus gave St. Margaret Mary many promises associated with this devotion and requested that a feast day in honor of His Sacred Heart be instituted on the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi. In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart was spread to the Universal Church, and in 1899 Pope Leo XIII solemnly consecrated all mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, calling it “the great act” of his pontificate.
St. Mary Margaret Alacoque had a special prayer for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is the prayer she said:
“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender mother and ours.
Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: “Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.”
There is much to learn about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I encourage you to consider this as a devotional to be included in your prayer life. Part of the devotion is to have the image of Sacred Heart placed in your home. Spend a few minutes contemplating the love God has for you.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen