The month of June is always a busy month with graduation parties, weddings, and Father’s Day which we celebrate this Sunday. Additionally, this weekend we celebrate the Feast of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) the Eucharist which is our Lord’s great gift to us the night before he died. However, there is another feast in June that is often overlooked—The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus came about as the result of the visions of Christ reported by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. She reported 12 promises made by Jesus to those who practiced the First Friday Devotion as Jesus said to her! To be granted the promises, a person is to attend Mass and receive communion in the state of grace.
The 12 promises are as follows:
- I will give them all of the graces necessary for their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their houses.
- I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
- I will be their strength during life and above all during death.
- I will bestow a large blessing upon all 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 priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
- I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powered love will grant to all those who shall receive communion 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.
I encourage you all to make the 9 first Fridays and have added a 7:00 p.m. Mass to the 8:30 a.m. Mass for those who have a normal work day.
God bless,
Fr. Carl
Could one find a greater honour than to be allowed to make reparation to Jesus Christ for the outrages which he receives in the Sacrament of his love?
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
