Sacred Heart

It falls 19 days after Pentecost, on a Friday.
-Wikipedia: Feast of the Sacred Heart

...the divine Saviour appeared to her, showed her His Heart burning with love, and said: "Behold this Heart, which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love...
-Sacred Heart Catholic Church: Feast of the Sacred Heart

Many Catholics prepare for this feast by beginning a Novena to the Sacred Heart on the Feast of Corpus Christi...
On the day of the Feast a special meal may be prepared for the family in accordance with Catholic tradition.
The family should attend Confession and Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist.
The family may perform a Renewal of the Consecration of the family to the Sacred Heart ceremony...
-Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is but a special form of devotion to Jesus. We shall know just what it is and what distinguishes it when we ascertain its object, its foundations, and its proper act.
-Catholic Encyclopedia: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Heart of Jesus, like all else that belongs to His Person, is worthy of adoration, but this would not be so if It were considered as isolated from this Person and as having no connection with It...
The worship, although paid to the Heart of Jesus, extends further than the Heart of flesh, being directed to the love of which this Heart is the living and expressive symbol.
-Saint Lawrence Catholic Resource Site: Sacred Heart of Jesus

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a form of devotion to the person Jesus, and especially to His Love.

Pope John Paul II:
If the human heart represents an unfathomable mystery that only God knows, how much more sublime is the heart of Jesus, in which the life of the Word itself beats.

Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus Message, St Peter's Square; Sunday, June 5, 2005:
The feast of the Sacred Heart is also World Day for the Sanctification of Priests, a favorable opportunity to pray that priests will put nothing before love of Christ.
-Women for Faith and Family: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

We are called to surpass the lower forms of love in order to attain Divine love, a self-sacrificial love that gives itself without boundaries or hesitation.
-The Catholic Doors Ministry: Homilies: Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 22, 2001

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is as old as the Church herself. The image of Christ hanging on the Cross with blood and water flowing from His side made a tremendous impression on early Christians. St. Irenaeus, who lived at the turn of the third century, wrote: "The church is the source of living water which flows from the Heart of Christ."
-Priests of the Sacred Heart Development Office Home Page: Devotion to the Sacred Heart

The Feast of Love has come.
-Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Feast of the Sacred Heart

"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 Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance..." (Jesus to St. Margaret Mary)
-Catholic Culture: Sacred Heart of Jesus [check out the Heart Cake recipes!]

The Monks of Adoration: Sacred Heart of Jesus Photos

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has as its dogmatic foundation the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
-Patron Saints Index: Sacred Heart of Jesus

We have his own word for the fact that our Lord's love for us is a sweet yoke and a light burden.
-Abbot John Eudes Bamberger, Abbey of the Genesee: MY YOKE IS SWEET AND MY BURDEN LIGHT: Feast of the Sacred Heart Homily

The Kingdom of God is within you.
-AMASC - World Association of Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart

Discover the greatest source of spiritual and temporal help, graces and blessings for those who truly love the Sacred Heart of Our Lord, Jesus Christ...
-Heart to Heart

Catholic Ireland: Sacred Heart

St. Mary Margaret Alacoque
From early childhood Margaret showed intense love for the Blessed Sacrament, and preferred silence and prayer to childish amusements...
Her feast is celebrated on 17 October.
-Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Mary Margaret Alacoque


Sacred Heart Novena Prayer
Lord Jesus, the needs of your people open your heart in love for each of us. You care for us when we are lost, sympathise with us in loneliness, and comfort us in mourning; you are closest to us where we are weakest. You love us most when we love ourselves least; you forgive us most when we forgive ourselves least; and you call us to spread your love in whatever way we can.

Lord Jesus, your heart is moved with compassion when we are suffering, when we need your help, and when we pray for each other. I ask you to listen to my prayer during this Novena, and grant what I ask (make your request silently). If what I ask is not for my own good and the good of others, grant me always what is best, that I may build up your kingdom of love in our world.
Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in you.

-+♥+-

Cor unum et anima una in corde Jesu
One heart and one mind in the heart of Jesus

Jean