The Feast Day of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a significant event in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. This feast day, which falls on the Friday after Corpus Christi, is dedicated to honoring the compassionate and merciful heart of Jesus Christ. It is a time for us to reflect upon the divine love and grace that flows from the heart of our Savior to us.
The origins of this feast day can be traced back to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun, who claimed to have received private revelations from Jesus during the 17th century. According to her accounts, Jesus revealed his burning heart as a symbol of His never ending love for humanity. He expressed His desire for a feast to be established in honor of his Sacred Heart, emphasizing the need for repentance, adoration, and devotion to Him. In 1856, Pope Pius IX established the Feast of the Sacred Heart as obligatory for the whole Church, to be celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi.
The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus holds profound spiritual significance for Catholics. It serves as a reminder of the depth of God’s love for us, as shown through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The Sacred Heart is a symbol of divine mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, inviting believers to embrace and reflect those virtues in their daily lives. It calls for a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, deepening one’s relationship with Him and fostering a spirit of devotion and adoration.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us!