The Sacred Heart. Only Jesus can fill us!

The image of the Sacred Heart originated in 1673 when Saint Margaret-Mary Alacoque introduced the devotion to the Church, after Christ asked her to venerate an image of his heart of flesh in reparation for the world's indifference or hostility to his love and mercy. The devotion to the Sacred Heart can be the Catholic answer to having a personal allegiance to Jesus. Bishop Burke would like the Sacred Heart to have an important place in our Diocese and in our homes.

One of the issues raised in the Fifth Diocesan Synod in the summer of 2000 was the need for strong families. The promises of the Sacred Heart are just what is needed. Bishop Burke will encourage us to consecrate our homes to Jesus Sacred Heart as well, and to enthrone an image of the Sacred Heart within them. Parishes are encouraged to enthrone the Sacred Heart as well, and may use an image of the Sacred Heart already present in the Church building.

THE PROMISES. Through St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Our Lord made twelve promises to Christians who consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here they are:

The Twelve 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 bless every house in which the picture of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
( 4) I will console them in all their difficulties.
( 5) I will be their refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
( 6) I will shed abundant blessings upon their undertakings.
( 7) Sinners shall find in My Heart a fountain and boundless ocean of mercy.
( 8) Tepid souls shall become fervent.
( 9) Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
(10) I will give to priests the power of touching the hardest hearts.
(11) Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart,
        never to be blotted out.
(12) I promise you, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will
       grant to all who receive communion on the first Friday of the month, for nine
       consecutive months, the grace of final penitence, they shall not die in my displeasure
       nor without the sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this
       last moment.

Some of us may already have an image of the Sacred Heart in our home. That's quite different from consecrating our families to the Sacred Heart. Our consecration begins a whole new way of life, with Christ as our King and the leader of our household. This consecration is a natural extension of the Eucharist. We return to our homes with the Body of Christ within us, and then live as the Body of Christ. Christ's presence is continually reflected in our homes and is visible to all those we encounter.

The image of the Sacred Heart in our homes can become a place of prayer and a reminder to pray. We can pour out our hearts to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and receive the help we need. We can express true love for one another as well, as we treat one another with love and respect. If Jesus is King of our homes, then our homes will be transformed. If we are the slave of something, then we do what the one who enslaves us tells us to do. If we are disciples of Jesus, we follow Jesus' way.

This is not a devotion of the past. It's a way of living today. It's not pre-Vatican, but a way to allow Jesus Christ to transform our lives, our families, our parishes and our world in the new Millennium. Enthronement of the Sacred Heart if for today. Our Bishop, Raymond Burke, encourages us to learn more about this enthronement and to consecrate our families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!