"Behold this Heart which has so loved men that It spared nothing, even going so far as to exhaust and consume Itself, to prove to them It's love.”
-Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
It has been a long standing devotion in the Catholic Church to recognize the month of June as the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion began as late as the 12th century and grew in popularity after the apparitions of Christ to St. Margaret Mary Alcoque was approved and promulgated. These apparitions happened in the 1670s and was an intimate experience between St. Margaret Mary and Christ, where Christ revealed His Heart, on fire with love for us, to her. May we each experience this intimate connection with Christ as He too reveals His Heart to us.
The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart
In His communications with St. Margaret Mary, Our Lord also promised blessings to those who honor His Sacred Heart. These became known as the Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart:- “I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- “I will establish peace in their houses.
- “I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
- “I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death.
- “I will bestow a large blessing upon their undertakings.
- “Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
- “Tepid souls shall grow fervent.
- “Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- “I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.
- “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
- “I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.”
Consecration Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
