Promises of the Sacred Heart.

PROMISES OF THE SACRED HEART

Sacred Heart of Jesus:
Promise of the Sacred Heart Icon.

In this series, there will be posts on the Promises of the Sacred Heart on each First Friday.  I may add further posts on other Fridays as well but for now as it is a new series, let us focus on each promise each month.

Today is the first Friday in January so my post today is about the Devotion to the Sacred Heart and the promises associated with the 9 first Fridays.

Some people criticise this devotion and make disparaging remarks.  However it is not easy as they seem to think to go to Mass and receive Holy Communion on 9 consecutive First Fridays. I know, as I have tried and succeeded in some years and not in others. What is important to remember when engaging in any devotion is that the obligation/obsession to the devotion does not become the centre of attention but of course the reason behind engaging in the devotion.  Jesus has to be the reason for the devotion. 

Sometimes people get so obligated/obsessed in attending Mass on First Friday that it becomes the be all and end all rather than attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion out of love for Jesus. It is this type of behaviour that is unhelpful to the person and to other people who are observing. They may be interested in the devotion but see the behaviour of the person and fail to distinguish between these 2 key aspects.  Jesus is the reason for everything especially when we choose to engage in a devotion.  It is meant to help us in our spiritual growth not hinder us or other people.

What I have found is that if you start the year with the good intention to try to keep the First Fridays sacred in honour of His Sacred Heart, it is easier to focus on Jesus who is Love Himself and combine it with some penance as well.  Remember Fridays throughout the year are days of penance ( in whatever way you choose)  as well, not just in Lent.

DEVOTION OF THE SACRED HEART.

Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary and revealed devotions to His Sacred Heart. She was favoured with many apparitions; the most special ones took place between 1673 and 1675.Jesus appeared as St. Margaret was praying before the Blessed Sacrament and revealed the Love of His Sacred Heart for humanity.

He requested her to receive Him in Holy Communion of the first Friday of every month and to meditate the passion on Thursdays between 11 and 12 p.m.  We may not be able to meditate on the Passion at this time, but we can meditate on it during a First Friday. There are so many aspects to meditate upon regarding the Passion.  The important thing is to make the effort to meditate on it.

"And He showed me that it was His great desire of being loved by men and of withdrawing them from the path of ruin into which Satan hurls such crowds of them, that made Him form the design of manifesting His Heart to men."

As Catholics, we should honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus by doing this devotion for 9 consecutive Fridays and then by attending Holy Communion as often as possible, daily if our gift is such, we must enthrone an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our homes as Our King and also an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary our Mother and Queen.

The practice devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the First Saturdays of the months as she has requested through Sister Lucy is highly recommended.

THE PROMISES OF OUR LORD.

"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 Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments; my divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in that last moment." 

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.

12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.

Wow.. I do not know about you but as I read these promises, I cannot help say thank you Jesus. I definitely want to receive these blessings for 2019.What is your reaction when you read these promises? Do you want them for yourself, your family, your parish, our world?

Sometimes we can lose focus in our spiritual lives or we need something to centre our attention. Here is a devotion worth our attention.

There are 12 months to the year and 12 promises.  Why not join me in praying for each promise to made manifest in our lives during 2019. Apart from our own personal needs, there are many needs- The Church itself, our own parishes, families, friends, people in the world we do not know but need our prayer and so on.  We could take a different need/ group each day in the month as we consider the promise.  You may be able to do this in your family or parish too.  If you do not wish to focus on the promise every day, then why not choose to focus on it on fridays of the Year.  Whatever you decide, choose something that works for you.

Let us claim the Promises of the Sacred Heart for ourselves in 2019.