The Renewal of the Devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus

CEBU, Philippines - We live in a world today that is so much influenced by materialism, self-seeking pleasure and dominated by striving for convenience, comfort, wealth, power, popularity, and all sorts of false promises of happiness. These forces only lead us to disappointment, confusion and hopelessness. As an old song puts it "We are always chasing bubbles in the air."

In the midst of all our troubles and confusions and hopelessness, Jesus comes to offer us a way to true life and happiness. It is a way of Love. Very often we don't take him seriously. We either think it's too good to be true. Or we hesitate to give up our old ways and old ways of thinking.

How often people who are dying of cancer would go all the way to the China, the U.S., or Europe hoping that the advance technology would bring them the needed cure. And here for the cancer of our emotional, spiritual and eternal life Jesus offers us a sure cure and healing - His love.

In our Gospel reading we see Jesus filled with compassion for the sick. People flocking to him even just to touch his clothing.

Today for men and women, families and young people troubled by the many afflictions of modern life, the greatest source of spiritual and temporal help, graces and blessing can be found in the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His compassionate love is always waiting for our response.

The essential prayers and practice the Sacred Heart requested include the Morning Offering, the "First Friday" devotion, and the "Nine Friday" Masses before the feast of the Sacred Heart.

In the words of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, to whom the Sacred Heart of Jesus appeared on several occasions:

"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 hurts such crowds of them, that made Him form the design of manifesting His heart to men, with all the treasures of love, of mercy, of grace, of sanctification and salvation which it contains, in order that those who desire to render Him and procure for Him all the honor and love possible, might themselves be abundantly enriched with those divine treasures of which this Heart is the source.

He should be honored under the figure of this Heart of flesh, and its image should be exposed... He promised me that wherever this image should be exposed with a view to showing it special honor, He would pour His blessings and graces. This devotion was the last effort of His love that He would grant to men in these latter ages, in order to withdraw them from the empire of Satan which He desired to destroy, and thus to introduce them into the sweet liberty of the rule of His love,which He wished to restore in the hearts of all those who should embrace this devotion."

"The devotion is so pleasing to Him that He can refuse nothing to those who practice it."

Now, what are the Personal Attitudes Needed for the Successful Practice of the Devotion:

1. A true love of Jesus Christ and His Sacred Heart, the source of His excessive mercy, help, graces and blessings.

2. Special respect for, and veneration of, the Blessed Sacrament.

3. A desire to make Reparation for the neglect, indifference and ingratitude of the majority that results in Jesus Christ being left alone, abandoned and forgotten on our altars, never visited to offer consolation for such neglect, though He has given us the miracle of His Divine Presence in the Blessed Sacrament as a supreme gift to us in His desire to be always with us.

For those who have the above attitudes and desire to faithfully practice the Devotion, Our Lord Jesus Christ has made special promises, popularly known as the "12 Promises."

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

2. I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.

5. I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises.

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

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection.

9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy in them all disordered movements.

10. I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.

12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence: they will not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

The devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus also involve theScapular of the Sacred Heart. It is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular that can be traced back to Saint Margaret Marie Alacoque who herself made and distributed badges similar to it. In 1872 Pope Pius IX granted an indulgence for the badge and the actual scapular was approved by the Congregation of Rites in 1900. (It bears the representation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on one side, and that of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Mother of Mercy on the other side.) (FREEMAN)