The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents God's divine love for humanity. It is often depicted as a flaming heart with a crown of thorns and the wound from Jesus' death. The devotion originated from the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Through this devotion, Jesus requested things like consecrating oneself, frequent communion, and eucharistic adoration. In return, he promised blessings, mercy, and peace. The feast of the Sacred Heart falls 19 days after Pentecost.
2. SACRED HEART
The Sacred Heart (also known as
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is one
of the most widely practiced and
well-known devotions, taking Jesus
physical heart as the representation
of his divine love for humanity. The
image of Sacred Heart has
traditionally been understood as a
symbol of God’s love for humanity
in the Christ, and also to symbolize
the heart of Jesus wounded by sin.
3. The Sacred Heart is often
represent in Christian art as a
flaming heart shining with divine
light, pierced by the
wound, encircled by the crown of
thorns. The wounds and crown of
thorns allude to the manner of
Jesus death, while the fire
represents the transformative
power of divine love.
5. • The love of the heart of Jesus
is essentially merciful.
• His role on earth was not to
condemn but to forgive, not to
avoid those who suffer but to
comfort them.
• The love of the heart of Jesus
is the exact opposite to the
spirit of the evils of our times.
6. QUICK FACTS:
The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus falls on June 7, 2013.
Other Names for the Feast: The Solemnity of the Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus.
Readings: Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6;
Ephesians 3:8-12; John 19:31-37
The Feast of the Sacred Heart reminds us that we are called to
the fullness of life through the love of Jesus.
It is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost Sunday, which falls on
the 50th day of Easter.
7. HISTORY OF THE FEAST
The feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated on August 31, 1670, in
Rennes, France, through the efforts of Fr. Jean Eudes (1602-1680). From
Rennes, the devotion spread, but it took the visions of St. Margaret
Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) for the devotion to become universal.
>St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
• Experienced visions in which Jesus asked for a special
devotion to his Sacred Heart.
• He was chosen by Christ to reveal the desires of his heart and
to confide the task of inspiring new life to the devotion.
8. >After she received the Vision of the Sacred Heart, which
popularized the devotion, she was scorned by her mother
superior who thought her to be delusional.
. Under the guidance of her spiritual director, St. Claude
Colombiere. St. Margaret was able to promote the devotion.
Several books have been published on her extensive
letters, sayings and the revelations given to her by Our
Lord.
The Devotion became quite popular after St. Margaret
Mary’s death in 1690 because the Church initially had
doubts about the validity of St. Margaret Mary’s vision. It
wasn’t until 1765 that the feast was celebrated officially in
France.
The feast is celebrated on the day requested by our Lord-the
Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi, or 19 days after
Pentecost Sunday
9.
10. GOD’S PROMISES IN RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO
C O N S E C R AT E T H E M S E LV E S A N D M A K E
R E PA R AT I O N S T O H I S S A C R E D H E A R T:
He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
He will establish peace in their homes.
He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
He will bestow abundant blessings upon all undertakings.
Sinners will find in His heart the source and infinite ocean of
mercy.
11. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
He will bless every place in which an image of His
Heart is exposed and honored.
He will give to priests the gift of touching the most
hardened hearts.
Those who shall promote this devotion shall have
their names written in his Heart.
12. THE DEVOTIONS ATTACHED
TO THESE PROMISES ARE:
Receiving Communion frequently
First Fridays: going to CONFESSION and receiving the
Eucharist on the first Friday of each month for nine
consecutive months.
Holy Hour: Eucharistic Adoration for one hour on
Thursdays. Holy Hour can be made alone or as part of a
group with formal prayers.