12/06/2026
Happy Solemnity of the Sacred Heart!
"Today I ask that... we all faithfully worship the Sacred Heart, for it is near the Heart of Jesus that our hearts learn how to know the true and unique meaning of our lives and our destiny, [for] it is near the Heart of Jesus that our hearts are given the capacity of loving." - St. John Paul II
What is the 'heart'?
The heart is more than our ability to reason, for that is the mind, and the heart is more than just our emotions, inconstant and fickle as they are.
The heart corresponds to the will. We like to say things like "I know in my heart that..." when we are certain of something, perhaps an important decision that we are making.
But the heart is also a place. We keep the people we love in our hearts. And we invite Christ to come dwell in our hearts.
What does it mean to have a heart that remains near Jesus? Our Lord Himself invites us and shows us the way: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mt. 11:28-29)
To have a heart more conformed to Jesus is to grow in humility and gentleness. And also to find rest. If the heart is what we will, then to remain near the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to will what He wills, and to love how He loves.
On this Solemnity, let us allow God's love to enter our hearts. And let us ask that our hearts may become more like the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
I consecrate and surrender to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, my person, my life, my difficulties, and my sufferings, that I may henceforth live only for His love and glory. It is my firm, unwavering purpose to be His entirely, to do everything for His love and renounce wholeheartedly everything that could displease His Divine Heart.
O Sacred Heart, I choose You as the sole object of my love, the protector of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the support of my weakness and the atoner for all the sins of my whole life. O mild and bountiful Heart, be likewise my refuge at the hour of death, my justification before God, and ward off from me the penalty of His just wrath.
O loving Heart, I place my trust entirely in You. While I fear everything from my own malice, I hope everything from Your goodness. Destroy in me whatever may displease You or be opposed to You, and let Your pure love imprint You so deeply upon my heart that it will be impossible for me ever to forget You or be separated from You.
O Sacred Heart, by Your goodness, I implore You, let my name be deeply engraved in You, for in Your service and in Your love I will live and die. Amen