Sacred Heart

 BASIC R.C.BELIEF

In Roman Catholic art, Jesus is often shown with His heart exposed. This is called the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Devotion to the Sacred Heart was unknown for centuries.

From THE DEVOTION OF OUR TIME, Sacred Heart League, Imp. Joseph Brunini, pages 10ff. "In October, 1672, mainly because of the inspirational writings of St. John Eudes, the Sacred Heart of Jesus was publicly honored for the first time in a solemn liturgical celebration.

"St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, born in France in 1647, between 1673 and 1675 received apparitions from Jesus, the most important being the twelve promises of the Sacred Heart given to those who go to Communion for nine consecutive first Fridays.

"They are: (1) Necessary graces for life; (2) Peace in their families; (3) Consolation in pains and trials; (4) Refuge in life and death; (5) Abundant blessings on all undertakings; (6) sinners will find infinite mercy; (7) Lukewarm souls will become fervent; (8) Fervent souls will rise to greater perfection; (9) Blessings on house with Sacred Heart is honored; (10) Priests will move hardest hearts; (11) Names forever written on my heart; (12) No limit to graces for those souls that seek for graces in my heart."

In 1794 Pope Pius VI approved the devotions to the Sacred Heart. Margaret Mary was beatified in 1864 and canonized in 1920.

From HOW TO AVOID PURGATORY. "If one says, `Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in thee' 1000 times a day, as many do, he gains 300,000 days indulgence each day."

From DEVOTION OF OUR TIME, Sacred Heart League, Walls, MS 38680. "The doctrine on which the devotion to the Sacred Heart rests is this quotation from the Bible: `God is Love.'"

POST VATICAN II

Since St. Christopher was removed from official sainthood (although motorists are still free to pray to him), the Sacred Heart Auto League has taken up much of the slack. Besides normal prayers to the Sacred Heart and sharing in a Mass offered each morning for living and deceased members, the Sacred Heart Auto League promotes "Reparation Driving," which is "the effort of generous souls who, in addition to what is already their duty, seek to give to the Sacred Heart more love, over and above, thereby making up in some small way for the inconsideration and recklessness of careless drivers." (Sacred Heart League, Walls, MS)

In 1977, 50 bishops met in Italy to discuss whether waning devotion to the Sacred Heart be allowed to follow its course or be revived. Cardinal Carberry of St. Louis urged use of the Rosary to express devotion to the Sacred Heart. One priest blamed modern Roman Catholic thinking which looks down on ancient traditions; another described new Christologies which militate against the Sacred Heart.

From READ ME OR RUE IT by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan. Imp. Joanner Timotheus, Archiepiscopus, Cincinnatenesis, 8/22/25. Re-printed 11/2/74 by National Centre for Padre Pio, 11 N. Whitehall Rd., Norristown, PA 19403. "Many people have the custom of saying 500 or 1,000 times each day the little ejaculation `Sacred Heart of Jesus I place my trust in thee.' Those who say ejaculations 1,000 times a day gain 300,000 days Indulgence. What a multitude of souls they can thus relieve.