Solemnity of the Sacred Heart—Friday

       evotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is as old as Calvary. When the Roman solider pierced the side of Jesus, the spear ran under the ribs into his heart from which their flowed blood and finally water—proof of Our Lord’s infinite love for us, and that he had nothing more to give.

St John Chrysostom (347) saw a wonderful symbol in this:

“The waters of Baptism, and the Blood of the Eucharist, pouring forth from Christ's side, brought the Church into existence just as Eve was formed from Adam's side. And just as God took man and "breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul," so at the Pentecost did the Holy Ghost come down over the Church and bring Her to life.”

Devotion to the Sacred Heart, the font of Love, was a popular in Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries, and was promoted by St. Gertrude. But the devotion became more important after St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), a Visitation nun, had a personal revelation involving a series of visions of Christ as she prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. She wrote:  "He disclosed to me the marvels of his Love and the inexplicable secrets of his Sacred Heart."

Our Lord  emphasized to her His love, and that He continued to be wounded by man's indifference to this love.

The Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

1"I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honoured."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."
12. "I promise thee 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 shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the

Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto thine