Sacred Heart Devotion

This devotion can seem intimidating or perhaps a large commitment. While it’s been around for hundreds of years, you don’t have to understand every aspect of the devotion before you start. June is the ideal month to explore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, since this month is customarily devoted to the Sacred Heart, but there’s no bad time of year to get started. More information on why reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is good and necessary can be found in the encyclical Miserentissimus Redemptor by Pope Pius XI.

In a series of visions given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, our Lord asked that certain reparations be made in atonement for the ingratitude shown to his Sacred Heart. In order to make reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholics are invited to receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months. Jesus promised St. Margaret Mary that he will grant twelve powerful graces to the communicant who has the intention of making reparation to his Sacred Heart:

1. 1. “I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.”

1. 1. “I will establish peace in their families.”

1. 1. “I will comfort them in their trials.”

1. 1. “I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death.”

1. 1. “I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.”

1. 1. “Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.”

1. 1. “Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.”

1. 1. “Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.”

1. 1. “I will bless every place where a picture of my Heart shall be set up and honored.”

1. 1. “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.”

1. 1. “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.”

1. 1. “I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart, that my all-powerful love will grant, to all those who receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; my Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.”

The first Friday of every month is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Friday Masses at St. Thomas are typically at 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. (during the school year), and 12:00 p.m.

Merriam-Webster defines devotion as “the act of taking a vow (from the Latin verb vovēre which means ‘to vow’). While devout implies faithfulness of a religious nature, devoted refers to one’s commitment to another through love and loyalty.”

What Is the Devotion to the Sacred Heart in Its Essence?

This devotion honors the heart of God who became man with the intention of making reparation for the sin committed against him.

But What Does It Mean to Honor the Heart of God?

While we venerate Jesus‘s physical heart, there is also a mystical aspect of this devotion. This includes, but is not limited to, contemplating his suffering in the garden of Gethsemane, his immense capacity to hold the sin of man and destroy it in the furnace of his heart, and the immense love he has for each individual person.

How Do I Know If I Should Start a Devotion?

According to St. Francis de Sales, a “devotion is suitable to every vocation and profession“ and “furthermore, such practice must be modified according to the strength, the calling, and the duties of each individual.” Pray to the Holy Spirit, your sanctifier, and ask him to lead you to the correct devotion.

Should I Have More than One Devotion?

It is generally advised to treat devotions like friendships. Most people cannot have deep, abiding friendships with more than a few people. Many devotions are compatible with one another. Therefore, a devotion to the Rosary could easily be practiced alongside devotion to the Sacred Heart. Intention matters, and it is best not to collect devotions as a way to ensure their promises. God leads us to certain devotions that will heal our wounds, highlight our gifts, and lead others to him.

What If I Fail with an Aspect of the Devotion?

Begin again with stubborn persistence, courage, and humility.

The word “reparation” comes from the Latin word reparare, which means to “make ready again.” By honoring the Sacred Heart, one makes reparations by increasingly receiving Holy Communion (first Friday), spending time with Jesus in a holy hour, and praying Sacred Heart prayers such as the Litany of the Sacred Heart.

The word “repair” also comes from the word reparare. We allow Jesus to repair our relationship with him and all of mankind. We make ourselves and others “ready again” by cooperating with God.

A way to understand reparations is through Psalm 106:23. “Therefore, he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.” Standing in the breach is a military term and was used when someone had to stand in the hole that the enemy had created in the wall surrounding a city. This person prevented the enemy from overcoming the city’s defenses.

In Hebrew, “stand in the breach” literally means to “stand in the rupture” or “stand in the breaking.” Sacred Heart devotees hold off the ongoing destruction by “offering themselves to Christ as victims” (Miserentissimus Redemptor). Pope Pius XI further explains, “the just and merciful God who would have spared Sodom for the sake of ten just men, will much more be ready to spare the whole race of men when he is moved by the humble prayers of the community of the faithful” (Misrentissimus Redemptor).

Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty,
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee,
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; spare us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us
V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
R. Make our hearts like to yours
Let us pray;
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of your most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers You in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Your mercy, in Your great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, You Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Enthronement is when a household chooses an image of the Sacred Heart to prominently display in their home. A priest is invited to the home and the family consecrates themselves to the Sacred Heart.

Preparation for the Ceremony of Enthronement

1. Contact the parish office to set a date for the enthronement. They will check Fr. Bill’s and Fr. Hattar’s schedule.
2. Choose a beautiful picture or statue of the Sacred Heart, if you do not already have one.
3. Select a prominent place in your home for the image of Jesus. You can choose a place of honor such as above a fireplace, a place that receives a lot of traffic, or a place that is the heart of your home. It should be a place of importance to you. An option is to be able to adorn it with flowers or candles.
4. Optional: Invite your relatives and friends for the ceremony. You may want to serve refreshments afterward.

Why Would I Do an Enthronement Ceremony? 

Each home is a little church that has Christ at its center. Enthronement serves to remind everyone that Christ’s loving heart is welcome and present in your home. Enthronement sends a message that your home is under the protection of the Sacred Heart. It is also an opportunity to bring a piece of holy art into your home for meditation. Jesus told St. Margaret Mary that any house that contains an image of the most Sacred Heart will be placed under his protection and peace.

What Happens During the Enthronement? 

There are a variety of prayers said during an enthronement. All enthronement ceremonies contain prayers with the intention of concentrating the household on the Sacred Heart. The priest will then bless the piece of art depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus and includes a blessing of the home for protection of all who reside there.

Jesus asked St. Margaret Mary that a feast of the Sacred Heart should be celebrated on the Friday after the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. St. John Eudes referred to this Mass of the Sacred Heart as the “Mass of Fire” in reference to the furnace of love found in the Sacred Heart.