Dear Parishioners,
The month of June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Feast day is always celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi. It goes back to the late 1600s when Jesus appeared to a nun of the Order of the Visitation, the order founded by St. Jane Frances. The nun, St. Margaret Mary, said that Jesus visited her three times between 1673 and 1675. Our Lord said he was deeply saddened by the ungrateful, neglectful, even contemptuous way he was treated by mankind. He explained how His heart burned for all creation, and that he had perpetually given His mercy, compassion, and uncompromising love to every person. Yet so many, including Christians, were not returning that love.
He asked Margaret Mary to honor his love by frequently receiving holy Communion, especially on the first Friday of every month. He invited her to spend a holy hour the night before offering recompense for what he experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane.
During another visit, Jesus urged the nun to promote a church feast to be held on the Friday after Corpus Christi Sunday. He desired people throughout the world to celebrate the day by receiving holy Communion and by prayer.
Through these pious acts, Christians would make reparation for all the times people have ignored or even mocked his love. In return, Jesus made 12 promises. Among them was that anyone who received holy communion on the first Friday of every month for 9 consecutive months would always know the refuge of His Sacred Heart, especially at the time of death. The promises Jesus made are as follows:
- I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their homes.
- I will comfort them in their afflictions.
- I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death.
- I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners will find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
- Lukewarm hearts will become fervent.
- Fervent hearts shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my heart.
- Those who make the 9 first Fridays will receive the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
That’s not a bad return for a little extra time with Jesus.
Fr. Carl
