GROUP 2

Sacred Heart of

Jesus

SACRED HEARTThe 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.

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.

WHAT KIND OF HEART DOES JESUS

HAVE?

• 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.

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.

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.

>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

GOD’S PROMISES IN RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO CONSECRATE THEMSELVES AND MAKE

REPARATIONS TO H IS SACRED HEART:

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.

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.

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.

THE END