Loving the Sacred Heart of Jesus

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Anne DeSantis explores ways you and your family can deepen your devotion.

Consecrating oneself and family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a beautiful thing to do during the month of June. The month of June is dedicated to His Sacred Heart. There are devotions you and your family can do together, prayers which are prayed in unison, and the image of the Sacred Heart can be displayed (enthroned) in a prominent place in your home. In addition, there is a list of 12 Promises from Our Lord, communicated by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to increase devotion to His Most Sacred Heart. If you have never done this before, now is the time!

There are so many ways we can honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but one of the best ways is to pray daily to Him in this way and give Him our prayer requests. Some families put a bowl or plate next to the image of the Sacred Heart, where family members can place prayer intentions; other families keep these intentions on a piece of paper or in a notebook. It is a beautiful way to honor Jesus’ Heart and come together as a family for continual prayer.

For some, the devotion may feel like a checklist of to-dos, or something that is done because Grandma and Grandpa would be proud, or it may be a way to “feel like a good Catholic.” This is not the way to look at this devotion. Step back and think about those people who do not know the love of God and need more support. Think of ways you can make outreach to them through your prayer, your care, and your love. Incorporate the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your prayers for those who feel marginalized through no fault of their own and could use your support, concern, and outreach. Make your devotion to His Heart something very real to help the marginalized and not just a checkbox to feel better about yourself as a Catholic or as a Christian.

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Honor Jesus’ Sacred Heart and come together as a family for continual prayer. #catholicmom

Pass It on to Your Family

As you make this devotion more tangible and as you make outreach to those without the love and support they deserve, you will live out the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the greatest of ways. Pass on devotion to the Sacred Heart to your children, family, and friends—and incorporate the compassion and the works of mercy with it. You will not only feel the effects of your prayers to His Sacred Heart, but you will also be doing His will in the process.

Copyright 2022 Anne DeSantis
Images: Jebulon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons