Greetings on the Feast of the Sacred Heart (27 June)
That the world might grow in compassion is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for June. An outpouring of love and compassion is urgently needed in this month, traditionally connected with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This year marks the 350th anniversary of Jesus’ appearances to St Margaret Mary in Paray-Le-Monial (France) and beginnings of devotion to Sacred Heart of Jesus. As part of the celebrations, Pope Francis published his Encyclical, Dilexit Nos: On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. Mention of the Sacred Heart may evoke certain images for us. The Encyclical reminds us that “the Christ we see depicted with a pierced and burning heart is the same Christ who, for love of us was born in Bethlehem, passed through Galilee healing the sick, embracing sinners and showing mercy. The same Christ who loved us to the very end”. It is this same Christ who calls us today to do likewise, to respond generously, to grow in compassion.
For the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the feast of the Sacred Heart holds special significance. In 1873, Mary MacKillop wrote about the great happiness she experienced in joining a pilgrimage from London to Paray-le-Monial. She noted that because of the huge number of pilgrims on the train, the engine struggled, and they didn’t arrive until 11:00pm rather than 7:00pm. Nonetheless, the town was still alive with processions, singing in all languages and Masses in every church and oratory. Sharing her experience with those back home, she wrote:
In the words of Julian Tenison Woods:
Josephine Dubiel rsj
Congregational Leadership Team