The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus It is one of the most important celebrations of the Catholic Church, which takes place this Friday June 7. The origin of this commemoration is due to the fact that Pope Pius IX designated that this solemnity It would be universally celebrated on the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi each year, that is, eight days after Corpus Thursday, which in 2024 was celebrated on May 30.
The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most venerated by the Catholic faithful, since it constantly reminds us of everything that God loves his followers, as well as the intense love that must be had for him due to his affection and dedication. It is for this reason that the Church dedicates all of its time to him. month of June to celebrate the Sacred Heart with the purpose that its believers honor it and learn from its unconditional love during these thirty days of the month.
According to the Desde la Fe portal, the information organ of the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico, the entire month of June is dedicated to the sacred Heart of Jesus due to a series of events that occurred in the past: in June 1675, Santa Margarita María Alacoque, A French nun, had a revelation in which Jesus told her that people did not value the love he had for them and he only received ingratitude from them, so he entrusted her to share his twelve promises among the people. Years later, in June 1689, the same saint noted that Jesus requested that the king of France, Louis XIV, consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
On the other hand, it was not until 1760 that Pompeo Batoni painted Sacred Heart of Jesus while holding a heart with a crown of thorns in his hands. She made this painting of Jesus with the help of Margarita María Alacoque so that she could describe in detail the image of Jesus in the apparitions that she experienced, since she had been entrusted with the task of proclaiming the love of Jesus.
As reported by the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico, the heart that Jesus carries in his hands has an earthly meaning because it adopted the sensitivity of people in relation to what this organ represents, that is, infinite love. This is because in the Bible love is related to the bowels, and to a greater extent to the kidneys, which is why Jesus changed this symbol to occupy one closer to people.
Regarding the crown of thorns that has the heart, the Archdiocese points out that it is a symbol that is intended to remember the pain that Jesus suffered and endured when he was crucified. This is a call to have the same love for Jesus, to the extent that he has it for all people.
The fire “reminds us that (Jesus) longs to set our hearts on fire with a fire that illuminates us, to always follow his ways,” according to the Archdiocese. This is why it is a symbol that invites us to love it intensely.
Finally, the cross over the heart calls for us to face adversity and observe it as an opportunity to love on our path. The Archdiocese points out that “he, who first accepted the cross for us, helps us to carry our own cross, to find its redemptive meaning, to be able to accept it with gratitude and love.”
The prayer dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the family is the next:
Lord Jesus Christ, kneeling at your feet we joyfully renew the consecration of our family to your divine heart. Be, today and always, our guide, the chief protector of our home, the King and center of our hearts. Bless our family, our house, our neighbors, relatives and friends. Help us to faithfully fulfill our duties and participate in our joys and anxieties, our hopes and doubts, our work and our fun. Give us strength, Lord, so that we carry our daily cross and know how to offer all our actions, along with your sacrifice, to the Father. May justice, fraternity, forgiveness and mercy be present in our home and in our communities. We want to be instruments of peace and life. May our love for your heart compensate, in some way, the coldness and indifference, the ingratitude and lack of love of those who do not know you, despise you or reject you. Sacred Heart of Jesus, we have confidence in you; unlimited confidence. Amen.
In case of family problems, the diocese of Tenancingo indicates that the following prayer should be prayed:
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust our marriage to you, which is going through a tough test. You who destined us to love and unite us forever, renew sacramental grace in us and rekindle our love with your fire. Deliver us from violence, hopelessness and fear, make our hearts kind and humble, similar to yours. Teach us to help each other, understand and forgive each other. Let your word guide us, let us lean on your cross, walk under your light and with the example and intercession of your Holy Family let us continue together and love each other in faith, hope and joy. Amen.
