The Sacred Heart of Jesus

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(NEW INTERACTIVE CHAPLET!)

About

What is meant by the expression "Sacred Heart"? We mean the Person of Christ, but viewed under a special aspect. Because of the richness and grandeur of Christ's being, we can consider Him under many titles. Thus, we can think of Him as the King of all creation, and represent Him in statue or picture as a crowned Ruler. Or we can consider Him as the eternal High Priest, and represent Him in that semblance. But if we think of Him as the God-man, loving us with a sublime and boundless love, yet as being loved so little in return, we represent Him as the Sacred Heart.

A devotion that is to be nurtured must have a symbol which will keep its memory vividly in our minds. Our Lord provided such a symbol. In one of His apparitions to St. Margaret Mary, He showed her His heart. Flames of love were bursting forth from it, a crown of thorns circled it round and round, and a cross surmounted it; and holding forth that fiery symbol, He said, "Behold the heart which has loved men so much that it has spared nothing even to exhausting and consuming itself to prove to them its love, and in return I receive from the greater number nothing but ingratitude." This blazing heart is the symbol of that immense love which is not loved in return. The reason for representing it in pictures and statues is to remind us of Love which is not loved, and to inspire us to generous reparation.

One way to make reparation to the Sacred Heart, and a way which will be of great advantage to ourselves, is the devotion of the nine first Fridays. Christ Himself expressly indicated this when He said to St. Margaret Mary, "I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My heart, that My omnipotent love will grant to all who shall communicate on the first Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance; they will not die in My disfavor, or without receiving their sacraments, and My heart will be for them a secure refuge in that last hour." Such is the devotion our Lord asks of us, and such is the promise to which He has bound Himself. This is after the nature of a bilateral contract; if we perform the work, He obligates Himself to give the reward. What He asks of us is not difficult: the worthy reception of Holy Communion, on the first Friday of nine consecutive months; the Holy Communion to be received in the spirit of reparation to His abandoned heart. The work is within the power of all of us, and the reward will not fail; "for He Who has given the promise is faithful." (Heb. 10:23) "God is not a man, that He should lie: nor as the son of man, that He should be changed. Hath He said then, and will He not do? Hath He spoken, and will He not fulfill?" (Num. 23:19)

One might object that the work is so small, and the reward so astonishing: is it possible that "the great gift of perseverance" can be secured at such a little price? But do not forget that an infinite mercy intervenes between the work and the reward, "the excessive mercy" of His heart, His "omnipotent love." Shall we put limits to omnipotent love — "Hath He spoken, and will He not fulfill?" Shall we not securely hope for divine generosity from the heart of Jesus? Do not let the magnitude of the reward make you incredulous, for the Apostle writes that God "is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive." (Eph. 3:20)

* The conditions are clear, namely: the worthy reception of Holy Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months. Hence, to substitute another day for Friday, or to interrupt the series, even through no fault of one's own, would make the matter doubtful. Before we can lay claim to the reward, we must be sure to have fulfilled the required conditions. Even if the interruption occurs because the first Friday falls on Good Friday, it would be more prudent to recommence the series.

It is almost superfluous to remark that the promise of our Lord cannot be abused. Should anyone say to himself, "I will make the first Fridays and thus secure for myself the grace of a happy death, and thenceforth I shall be free to live as I please; Christ will be bound to His promise" — he not only would not win the promised reward, but would even be unworthy to receive Holy Communion, for his will would be bad. "Let not such a one think that he will receive anything from the Lord." (James 1:7)

History

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is as ancient as the Church. It commenced upon the Cross, from the moment when this divine Heart, pierced by the soldier's spear, opened to the faithful an inviolable place of refuge. When the first Christians and the martyrs, with that faith and love, which made them triumph over torments and death itself, kissed the wounds of Jesus crucified, who can doubt that in applying their lips to the wounded side of their Redeemer, as they meditated on His Passion, they thought at the same time of His Sacred Heart, and of its infinite love which seemed to burst forth in flames through that sacred opening in His side? Thus too did the greatest saints of every age, St. Augustin, St. Bernard, St. Bonaventure, St. Gertrude, St. Mechtildis, St. Catherine of Sienna, penetrate the secret of this devotion, long before it was proposed in any special revelation. St. Gertrude the Great (1256 – ca. 1302) and St. Mechtilde (Gertrude’s younger sister) made veneration of Christ’s heart a central devotion which they practiced. When St. Gertrude asked St. John (who appeared to her in a vision) why he had not written about Jesus’ heart, John said it was because that "had been reserved for subsequent ages when the world, having grown cold, would have need of it to rekindle its love" (cf Legatus Memorialis Abundantiae Divinae Pietatis [The Herald of Divine Love]).

But it was reserved for the seventeenth century to see the Sacred Heart of Jesus honored by a public worship, and for France to give birth to this devotion. The person whom God employed to make known His designs of mercy in the establishment of this devotion, was a simple Religious of the Visitation, at Paray le Monial, in Charolais, known by the name of Mary Margaret.

Jesus Christ, who had already favored her with His most precious gifts, appeared to her one day, and said: "My divine Heart is so full of love for men, that, no longer able to restrain the flames of its burning charity, it must spread them abroad by every means, and manifest itself to men, to enrich them with the treasures which it contains. To you I disclose these priceless treasures; they contain the graces of sanctification and salvation necessary to draw mankind from the abyss of perdition."

The designs of our Divine Lord were made known to Mary Margaret some time afterwards in a still clearer manner. "Whilst praying before the Blessed Sacrament," she says, "one day within its octave, I received from God excessive graces of His love. As I felt myself moved with the desire of making Him a return of love for love, He said to me: ‘You cannot give me any greater mark of your love than by doing what I have already so often asked of you.’ Upon this, disclosing to me His Divine Heart, He said to me: ‘Behold this Heart, which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify to them its love; and in return I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, in the neglect, irreverence, sacrileges and coldness which I meet with from them in my Sacrament of love. But what afflicts me most is, that I receive this treatment from hearts which are specially consecrated to me. For this reason, I ask you to procure the first Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi to be set apart as a special feast in honor of my Heart, by making an act of reparation, and communicating on that day, in order to atone for the indignities which it has received during the time that it has been exposed upon my altars; and I promise that my Heart shall dilate itself to shed in abundance the influence of its divine love upon those who shall render it this honor, or procure it to be rendered.’" The humble religious replied: "To whom, O Lord, dost Thou address Thyself? to so wretched a creature, so poor a sinner, that her unworthiness would be even capable of hindering the accomplishment of Thy design. Thou hast so many generous souls to execute it." Then, Our Lord replied, "Do you not know then, that I make use of the weakest instruments to confound the strong, and that it is in the little and poor of spirit that I display my power with greater splendor, in order that they may attribute nothing to themselves?" "Do Thou give me, then," rejoined the sister, "the means of doing what Thou commands."

Upon this our Lord added: "Address yourself to my servant (this was Father de la Colombière, S.J.) and tell him from me to do what he can to establish this devotion, and to afford this gratification to my heart. Let him not be discouraged at the difficulties which he will meet with, for there will be no lack of them; but let him remember that those alone are all-powerful who distrust themselves, and place all their confidence in me."

Father de la Colombière, who had examined the sanctity of this religious with great care, and was satisfied by evident marks of the truth of her communications with God, considered himself called to contribute to the establishment of so holy a devotion, especially as it presented nothing which was open to suspicion. He began with himself, and wished to be the first disciple of the Heart of Jesus, and the first adorer of His love, according to the directions prescribed to the sister Mary Margaret. He accordingly consecrated himself to this Sacred Heart, on the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi, June 21, 1675, a day which may be regarded as that on which the Heart of Jesus made its first conquest.

Since that time, this devotion, censured and combated, as are all the works of God, has been at length established with marvelous success throughout the whole world, especially after it had received the solemn approval of the Holy See. Thus did the event prove how justly founded was the confidence of Mary Margaret, when she said: "Though I should see the whole world let loose in opposition to this devotion, I should never despair of seeing it established, since I have received an assurance of it from the mouth of our Blessed Savior Himself."

Promises

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
   
   
2. I will establish peace in their families.
   
   
3. I will comfort them in their trials.
   
   
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death.
   
   
5. I will shed abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
   
   
6. Sinners will find in My Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.
   
   
7. Lukewarm souls will become fervent.
   
   
8. Fervent souls will rapidly grow in holiness and perfection.
   
   
9. I will bless every place where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
   
   
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
    
    
11. The names of those who promote this devotion will be written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
    
    
12. I promise thee, 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 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.

Prayers

Acts of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

By St. Margaret Mary:

I (Name) give and consecrate to Thee, O Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ! my body and soul, my life, my actions, pains, and sufferings, so that I may no longer desire to employ any part of my being save in honoring, loving, and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable resolution—to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, while I renounce with my whole heart everything which could displease Thee. Wherefore, I take Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus! as the sole Object of my love, the Protector of my life, the Pledge of my salvation, the Remedy of my weakness and inconstancy, the Reparation for all the imperfections of my life, and my assured Refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, therefore, O bountiful Heart! my justification with God, Thy Heavenly Father, and turn aside from me His anger, which I have justly deserved. O Heart of Love! I place all my confidence in Thee, for I have everything to fear from my weakness, while I hope for everything from Thy bounty. Annihilate in me everything which can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply on my heart that I may never forget Thee, nor ever be separated from Thee. I conjure Thee, by Thy infinite goodness, that my name may be engraved on Thee, since I desire to make all my happiness and all my glory consist in living and dying in quality of Thy devoted servant.

By Sister Mary of the Divine Heart:

My most loving Jesus, I consecrate myself today anew and without reserve to Thy divine Heart. I consecrate to Thee my body with all its senses, my soul with all its faculties: my whole being. I consecrate to Thee all my thoughts, words and actions; all my sufferings and labors; all my hopes, consolations and joys; and, above all, I consecrate to Thee my poor heart, that it may love only Thee and be consumed as a victim in the fire of Thy love. Accept, O Jesus, my most loving spouse, the desire that I have to console Thy divine Heart and to be yours for ever. Possess me in such a manner that henceforward I may have no other liberty than that of loving Thee, no other life than that of suffering and dying for Thee. I place in Thee unlimited trust and I hope, from Thy infinite mercy, for the pardon of my sins. I place in Thy hands all my cares, especially that of my eternal salvation. I promise to love and honor Thee to the last moment of my life, and to propagate, with the help of Thy divine grace and as far as I am able, devotion to Thy Sacred Heart. Dispose of me, O divine Heart of Jesus, according to Thy pleasure; I desire no other recompense than Thy greater glory and Thy holy love. Grant me the grace to find my dwelling place in Thy Sacred Heart where I desire to pass every day of my life and where I wish to breathe my last breath. Make my heart Thine abode, the place of Thy repose, so that we may remain intimately united until, finally, I may praise, love, and possess Thee for all eternity, singing for ever the infinite mercy of Thy Sacred Heart.
Amen.

Memorare To The Sacred Heart

Remember, O most sweet Jesus, that none who have had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its assistance, or called for mercy, has ever been abandoned. Filled and animated by this same confidence, O Divine Heart, ruler of all hearts, I fly to Thee; and oppressed beneath the weight of my sins, I prostrate myself before Thee; despise not my feeble prayers, but listen to them with a favorable ear, and vouchsafe to answer them. Show us that Thou art the Heart of the best of Fathers, and that He who has deigned to give Thee to us for our salvation will, through Thee, receive our prayers.
Amen.

Chaplet of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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The Sacred Heart Chaplet has 33 beads, one for each year of the life of Jesus Christ, divided into 5 decades of 6 beads each.

To begin the Chaplet, say an Anima Christi:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me, O good Jesus, hear me, Within Thy wounds hide me, Separated from Thee let me never be, From the malicious enemy defend me, In the hour of my death call me and bid me come unto Thee That I may praise Thee with Thy saints Forever and ever.
Amen.

On the 5 beads on the outside, say:

An Our Father, three Hail Marys, and a Glory Be.

On each large bead say:

I love you Lord, who suffered agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and who today, in the Blessed Sacrament, is outraged at the impiety and ingratitude of men. Give us your Love, help us to Love you more, you who alone are holy, you who alone are Lord, the Most High, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

On each small bead say:

Lord, I adore your Sacred Heart, inflame in our hearts the Divine Love with which your own is inflamed.

At the end of each decade say:

Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours.

To end the Chaplet say the following prayer:

O Lord, you give your Sacred Heart to humanity in the Mystery of the Altar for the salvation of our souls, may your sacrifice not be made in vain. Hear our prayers, have mercy on us and forgive our sins. We desire to honor you in the Blessed Sacrament, (glorify you in our thoughts, words and actions, and thank and praise you always.) We weep for and detest the impiety and ingratitude of men, call us back to the heart of your Church. I offer you my heart in reparation for sin. (Remove from it what is displeasing to you, dispose it according to your will, and inspire it with sentiments like yours.) Draw us near to you Sacred Heart through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and be our refuge at death, that we may come to praise for all eternity the Divine Love with which your Sacred Heart burns for humanity. I ask this in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you.
Amen.

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

(after each line you say: "Have Mercy on Us")

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost,
Heart of Jesus, united substantially to the Word of God,

Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel 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 the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is 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 rich in mercy,
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke you,
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,

Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, saturated with reviling,
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities,
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto 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 reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in you,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us

V.Jesus, meek and humble of Heart.
R.Make our hearts like yours.

Concluding Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of your well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which he renders to you in the name of sinners. Of your great goodness, grant pardon to those who seek your mercy, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen.