Do you remember as of last month, we are starting something new and exciting? If you go back to May’s post, you will see a list of 18 ideas of how to focus on the theme of the month. We are picking them at random, just to make it fun and challenging. Hubby once again picked it out of a plastic cup and this time, came up with: Location! That means, I have the task of finding a location relating to the Sacred Heart.
Well, that didn’t require a lot of thought…
Sanctuaire du Sacre-Cœur ~ Paray-le-Monial
Charolais-Brionnais, France
This is where Our Blessed Lord appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, showing her the ineffable love of His Sacred Heart. Have a look at their site above, for an informative 18-minute video and more. Excerpt:
“Three great apparitions of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary focus on the message for the attention of all men…They took place between the end of December 1673 and June 1675. One can identify three great dimensions of this message: a declaration of love (I), a complaint (II), a demand (III).”
These 3 dimensions are described in detail on the Home page.
It just so happens, this is a very special year in the United States, for devotion to the Sacred Heart! From Sacred Heart Enthronement Network:
“…the United States Catholic Bishops will offer prayers of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, on behalf of our nation. This historic event coincides with the 250th Anniversary of our nation and serves as an invitation to place our trust in Christ. Catholics are encouraged to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, pray for our nation, and perform acts of charity and service, as we prepare for this important moment. You can watch the Consecration take place in Orlando, Florida, via livestream on the Catholic Bishops Website.
…we are in a great spiritual battle between good and evil. Now is the time to pray, consecrate, enthrone, honor, and share the message of His Heart more fervently than ever.”
…And pray for peace!
The USCCB is also taking this opportunity to honor Catholics who have historically contributed to the United States. They are producing a video series on this (see link above). Sacred Heart Enthronement Network is promoting a Sacred Heart Revival, which you may participate in. Here is the Novena to the Sacred Heart on their site, which many people pray prior to the feast. There is so much else to discover that this ministry is doing and also a Catholic shop.
The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is on Friday the 12th , and is a solemnity, therefore no penance is required. This is also the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. Let us lift up our spiritual fathers to the most loving Heart of Our Lord in their many needs. We cannot help but notice the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the very next day! This is obviously no coincidence, as Holy Church shows us how intimately the 2 Hearts are united. The feast of Corpus Christi (the 4th in the trad, the 7th in the post-con, known as the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) is also linked to the Sacred Heart, as it is an aspect of the Corpus of Christ. We may also invoke His Eucharistic Heart in this wonderful Mystery of the Incarnation.
Note below, we celebrate several New Testament figures this month: Saint Barnabas (mentioned in Acts), Saint John the Baptist, Saint Peter and Saint Paul. As of Trinity Sunday, this past Sunday, we have entered the Time After Pentecost and remain therein until Advent, in the trad. We continue to meditate on the Mystery of the Redemption for the rest of the Liturgical Year.
Some key feasts coming up from both calendars…
11th-Saint Barnabas
13th-Saint Anthony of Padua-Companion of Saint Francis, Visionary of the Christ Child, Doctor of the Church
23rd-Vigil of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
22nd-Saint Thomas More, Martyr
24th-Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
29th-Saints Peter & Paul
30th-Commemoration of Saint Paul / First Martyrs of the Church
****** Prepper Challenge for Spring ******
With current events in mind, it’s the same as it was for March, April & May...Make a plan and begin implementing it.