The Sacred Heart of Jesus (2024)

The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated on Friday, but the entire month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus (1)This devotion deserves much wider exposure because it gets to the core of the mystery of our redemption. The overflowing of God's love through the humanity of Jesus Christ, represented by the sacred heart of Jesus, is a mystery — which by definition means a reality that exceeds our ability to explain — but that shines brightly in our faith.

In his encyclical "On Devotion to the Sacred Heart" (Haurietis aquas), Pope Pius XII pointed to the moment in Jesus' life where he says: "If any man thirst, let him come to me, and let him drink he who believes in me. As the Scripture says: 'Out of his heart there shall flow rivers of living waters.' Now this He said of the Spirit which they should receive who believed in Him." (John 7:37-39) The pope specifically focused on the fact that Jesus describes himself as the source of living water, a symbol of the fountain of life that is the Holy Spirit.

This wondrous phenomenon has renewed importance just now because our current mood resembles the pessimistic and agitated mood in the 1950s during the Cold War when the encyclical was promulgated. The pandemic, the violent protests, and the social polarization are exerting pressure on us all. Yet in the midst of everything — even as many all over the world are dealing with serious illness and death — Christ stands as the infinite source of comfort, love, and peace.

The words that most touched me in the encyclical were Pius XII's use of a passage from Saint Paul: "Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

In other words, in their devotion to the Sacred Heart, the faithful are not living merely within their own limitations. The prayer to the Sacred Heart calls upon the Spirit of God, which moves us in ways we would not discover solely on our own: "the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings." (Romans 8:26)

So, whatever we are feeling because of what is happening around us, if we can gather ourselves enough to actually form a prayer in our hearts, God does the rest in his providential care. Or as Pius XII put it: "The Sacred Heart of Jesus shares in a most intimate way in the life of the Incarnate Word and has been thus assumed as a kind of instrument of the Divinity."

So, whatever we are feeling because of what is happening around us, if we can gather ourselves enough to actually form a prayer in our hearts, God does the rest in his providential care.

This is not just some pious thought or theological abstraction. The pope hearkens back to another specific moment in Jesus' life: "What is here written of the side of Christ, opened by the wound from the soldier, should also be said of the heart which was certainly reached by the stab of the lance, since the soldier pierced it precisely to make certain that Jesus Christ crucified was really dead."

What are the effects of the wounding of Jesus' sacred heart? It fired up the apostles and the martyrs to witness to their faith right to the end. It inspired the doctors of the Church with tireless zeal to teach the faith. It drove the "confessors" to develop virtues both for themselves and as an example to others. It motivated virgins "to a free and joyful withdrawal from the pleasures of the senses and to the complete dedication of themselves to the love of their heavenly Spouse."

The marvelous focus of our adoration on the Sacred Heart shows it to be the source of divine love but also the example of all of the virtues. He is the living presence of our salvation radiating from the heart of the Church, which after all is his Body. (Romans 12:5)

That was the main point of the encyclical: because the wounded Sacred Heart achieves so much as its divine charity overflows into the world, it should be paid due honor. It is something far beyond anything that we can imagine: "The Heart of Christ is overflowing with love both human and divine and rich with the treasure of all graces which our Redeemer acquired by His life, sufferings, and death, it is, therefore, the enduring source of that charity which His Spirit pours forth on all the members of His Mystical Body."

As a result, we may be confident that there will be more apostles, martyrs, doctors, confessors, and virgins. This glorious tradition will continue until the end of time. Perhaps some of us may even be inspired to join their ranks.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus (2024)

FAQs

What is the response to Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

I am unfamiliar with any prayers that would ask the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus to “pray for us.” Instead, the proper response is either “have mercy on us” or “save us” (as in the Litany of the Most Precious Blood), or “Lord, deliver us we pray” (as in the Litany of the Saints), or “hear us / Lord, hear our prayer” (as ...

What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic answers? ›

Thus, when we designate Jesus as the Sacred Heart, we mean Jesus manifesting His Heart, Jesus all loving and amiable. Jesus entire is thus recapitulated in the Sacred Heart as all is recapitulated in Jesus. In thus devoting oneself to Jesus all loving and lovable, one cannot fail to observe that His love is rejected.

What is the famous quote of Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.” “One cannot love without suffering or suffer without loving.”

What are the words to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with 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.

What is the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

The central message of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the infinite and compassionate love exploding from the Heart of Jesus for all mankind. It emphasizes our Lord's sacred Sacrifice for our salvation and invites us to respond to His love.

Why do people pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Latin: Cor Jesu Sacratissimum) is one of the most widely practised and well-known Catholic devotions, wherein the heart of Jesus Christ is viewed as a symbol of "God's boundless and passionate love for mankind".

What is the intention for Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

We consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart by acknowledging Him as Creator and Redeemer and as having full rights over us as King of Kings, by repenting, and by resolving to serve Him. We make reparation for the indifference and ingratitude with which He is treated and for leaving Him abandoned by humanity.

What is the lesson of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

By following the Heart of Jesus we learn practice forgiveness in our home and communities. The devotion of Nine First Fridays and the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the home give families concrete ways to understand and come closer to the Heart of Jesus.

What is the special prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with 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.

What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus summary? ›

The Sacred Heart of Jesus refers to a Catholic solemnity, a Catholic devotion, and the literal heart of Jesus that is believed to show merciful love to all of humanity. In the 17th century, there was a French girl named Margaret Mary Alacoque.

Who wrote the prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

The prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Roman Catholic devotion. A devotion is something that people do or say to show their love for God and Jesus. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote the prayer.

What is the prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that never fails? ›

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. 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. Amen.

What does the heart symbolize in the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

The heart is the symbolic center of feeling and emotion, and it represents Jesus' deep love and affection for us. It is sometimes shown by itself, but often with an image of Jesus, and then above his chest. Most frequently it is depicted as red, the color of blood, which Jesus poured out for us (Jn 19:34).

What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus scripture? ›

The early Church always connected the heart of Jesus wounded by the lance with the prophecy of John 7:37-39: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.

How should we respond to sacred scripture? ›

But there is one phrase that is always involved in correctly responding to God's Word – obedient – faithful – action. BOWING to his will and doing what he says. Our key text today is James 1:22-25. 22 But don't just listen to God's word.

What to do with the Sacred Heart of Jesus? ›

7 Simple Ways To Celebrate the Sacred Heart Of Jesus
  1. Reflect on the promises of the Sacred Heart. ...
  2. Make heart aflame desserts. ...
  3. Pray for the reunion of divided families. ...
  4. Rest your head on Jesus' Heart. ...
  5. Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. ...
  6. Contemplate His Sacred Heart with music.
Jun 4, 2024

How to venerate the sacred heart of Jesus? ›

8 Ways to Grow in Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart
  1. Morning Offering. ...
  2. Images of the Sacred Heart. ...
  3. Eucharistic Adoration & Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. ...
  4. First Friday Devotion. ...
  5. Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. ...
  6. Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart.
Jun 18, 2021

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jamar Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6255

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jamar Nader

Birthday: 1995-02-28

Address: Apt. 536 6162 Reichel Greens, Port Zackaryside, CT 22682-9804

Phone: +9958384818317

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Scrapbooking, Hiking, Hunting, Kite flying, Blacksmithing, Video gaming, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Jamar Nader, I am a fine, shiny, colorful, bright, nice, perfect, curious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.