Margaret Mary Alacoque was born in 1687 in
France and became a nun. Jesus appeared to her and He showed her his Sacred
Heart in several visions. He revealed that the flames around the heart
represented Jesus’ burning love for all people, including the “sinners” as well
as those more “saintly.” The crown of thorns represented the sacrifices He made
on the cross for all of us so that our sins would be forgiven. In Jesus’ Sacred
Heart are the blessings of grace, peace, consolation, refuge, mercy, faith,
love, mercy, grace, sanctity, and salvation.
The Feast of the Sacred
Heart has been in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar since 1856, and is
celebrated 19 days after Pentecost. As Pentecost is always celebrated on
Sunday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart always falls on a Friday.
Our parish being faithful to the practice of
the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, holds Adoration on
the first Friday of the month. Please come join us with an hour of your time
and He will give you an assured refuge in His Sacred Heart during life and
especially when death approaches.
In 1673,
the Sacred Heart of Jesus gave to St. Margaret Mary the following twelve
promises to those whose souls are devoted to Him.
The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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 of Heaven on all their enterprises.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all 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.
