Feast of the Sacred Heart

Stained Glass Window of the Sacred Heart

Today is the feast of the Sacred Heart, a feast day asked for by Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Today I want to highlight several practices that a family can put in place to honor Our Lord's Sacred Heart.

Firstly, we can honor the Sacred Heart in the month of June, the month consecrated to this purpose, by saying the litany of the Sacred Heart daily.

Secondly, we can resolve to start observing the 9 First Fridays. To do this, one must simply attend at the sacrifice of the Mass and receive Holy Communion in the state of grace: because of this last requirement, many Catholics make it a habit to go to Confession beforehand. Many Catholics also observe a Holy Hour in reparation.

The wax figure encasing St. Margaret Mary's bones

Thirdly, we can prepare to consecrate our home and family to the Sacred Heart, and enthrone Christ as King of our Home. For honoring Our Lord in these ways, but especially in the 9 First Fridays, He has made 12 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 undertakings6. 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.