Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as
we know it, began about the year 1672. On repeated occasions, Jesus appeared to
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a
Visitation nun, in France, and during these apparitions He explained to her the
devotion to His Sacred Heart as He wanted people to practice it. he asked to be
honoured in the symbol of His Heart of flesh; he asked for acts of reparation,
for frequent Communion, Communion on the First Friday of the month, and the
keeping of the Holy Hour.
When the Catholic Church approved the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she
did not base her action only on the visions of Saint Margaret Mary. The Church
approved the devotion on its own merits.
There is only one Person in Jesus, and that Person was at the same time God and
Man. His Heart, too, is Divine -- it is the Heart of God.
There are two things that must always be found together in the devotion to the
Sacred Heart: Christ's Heart of flesh and Christ's love for us. True devotion to
the Sacred Heart means devotion to the Divine Heart of Christ insofar as His
Heart represents and recalls His love for us.
In honouring the Heart of Christ, our homage lingers on the Person of Jesus in
the fullness of His love. This love of Christ for us was the moving force of all
he did and suffered for us -- in Nazareth, on the Cross, in giving Himself in
the Blessed Sacrament, in His teaching and healing, in His praying and working.
When we speak of the Sacred Heart, we mean Jesus showing us His Heart, Jesus all
love for us and all lovable.
Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God's infinite love. The Human Nature which
the Son of God took upon Himself was filled with love and kindness that has
never found an equal. He is the perfect model of love of God and neighbour.
Every day of His life was filled with repeated proofs of "Christ's love that
surpasses all knowledge" (Eph 3:19). Jesus handed down for all time the
fundamental feature of His character: "Take My yoke upon your shoulders and
learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart" (Mt 11:29). He invited all,
refusing none, surprising friends and rivals by His unconditional generosity.
The meaning of love in the life of Jesus was especially evident in His
sufferings. Out of love for His Father He willed to undergo the death of the
Cross. "The world must know that I love the Father and do just as the Father has
commanded Me" (Jn 14:31).
The love that Jesus bore toward us also urged Him to undergo the death of the
Cross. At the Last Supper, He said, "There is no greater love than to lay down
one's life for one's friends" (Jn 15:13)
The Heart of Jesus never ceases to love us in heaven. He sanctifies us through
the Sacraments. These are inexhaustible fountains of grace and holiness which
have their source in the boundless ocean of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Divine Jesus, You have said, "Ask
and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to
you." Behold me kneeling at Your feet, filled with a lively faith and confidence
in the promises dictated by Your Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. I come to
ask this favor: Mention your request).
To whom can I turn if not to You, Whose Heart is the source of all graces and
merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all the riches
of Your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the door through
which God gives Himself to us and through which we go to God? I have recourse to
You, Heart of Jesus. In You I find consolation when afflicted, protection when
persecuted, strength when burdened with trials, and light in doubt and darkness.
Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that You can grant me the grace I implore, even
though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will
be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of Your favours, but this is not a
reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercy, and You will not
refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of You, and Your
kind Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a reason for granting my
prayer.
Sacred Heart, whatever may be Your decision with regard to my request, I will
never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving You. My Jesus, be pleased to
accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of Your adorable Heart,
which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all Your creatures
forever.
Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore You through the Immaculate Heart
of Your most sorrowful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her child, and her
prayers are all-powerful with You. Amen.
My God, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Your favours, in reparation for my sins, and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the needs of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory.