J.M.J.
During the month of June, the Church is the scene for
varied celebrations: ordinations, weddings, graduations, etc. With so many
festive occasions, the traditional dedication of June to the Most Sacred Heart
of Jesus, regrettably, may be forgotten.
As is well known, the decades after the Second Vatican
Council witnessed the decline of long-standing devotional practices, including
that to the Most Sacred Heart. What was once held dear was now often considered
expendable and unenlightened. From the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount
Carmel to the nine First Fridays to the five First Saturdays, private devotions
fell into disuse, and in some quarters were openly scorned.
Recently, however, Catholic devotional practices have
begun to blossom. Parishes throughout the United States have blown the dust off
monstrances and reinstated the Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The
Litany of the Sacred Heart and the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
are recited either before or after Holy Mass in an increasing number of
churches. Personal devotions no longer seem to be considered “embarrassing” as
they were, not long ago.
Yet, much remains to be done to ensure that pious
practices dedicated to the Sacred Heart, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the
Angels and the Saints continue to be fostered and respected. There still exists
among some priests, consecrated persons and laity the unfortunate
misunderstanding that personal devotions are in opposition to the celebration
of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
It is as if one cannot truly love the Eucharistic
Liturgy and at the same time be concerned about the Church-approved revelations
of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary, the Church-sanctioned apparitions of Our Lady
at Fátima and other private revelations that enjoy ecclesiastical approbation.
Pope Venerable Pius XII, in his May 15, 1956 Encyclical
entitled, On Devotion to the Sacred Heart (Haurietis Aquas), reminded the Faithful that devotion to the Sacred
Heart, far from being optional, is necessary and rests on “solid foundations”
(19): Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church and theologians. All three
proclaim that the Heart of Christ “is the natural sign and symbol of His
boundless love for the human race.” (22)
The Sovereign Pontiff, quoting his predecessor Pope
Leo XIII (1878-1903), offered that in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is “the
symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to
love in return.” (ibid.)
Those who contend that private devotions detract from
the centrality of the Mass would do well to meditate upon Pius’ assertion: “One
may affirm that the divine Eucharist, both as a sacrament and a sacrifice—the
one He bestowed on men, the other He Himself continually offers ‘from the
rising of the sun even to the going down’—and the Priesthood, are really gifts
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” (71)
The same Jesus Who bestows His Sacred Body and Precious
Blood upon His friends possesses the Heart “Which has loved so much but has
been loved so little in return.”
Perhaps one of the reasons for the current revival of
private devotions is the realization that personal piety can enhance one’s
participation in the Mass. To reflect privately upon the riches of the Sacred
Heart leads to a greater consciousness of the splendor of the Most Blessed
Sacrament. When one adores the Heart of Christ outside the celebration of the
Eucharist, one will be better prepared to participate with deeper fervor and
awareness within the Sacred Liturgy.
God’s gifts to His people are many. The bestowal of
the Lord’s love upon His Church—as exemplified in the image of the Sacred
Heart—is proof that Christ calls all to love as He Himself loves.
This June, as always, the Faithful look to the Most
Sacred Heart of Jesus because, as Pope Pius wrote, again citing Pope Leo XIII,
“in It man’s salvation must be sought and looked for.” (121)
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in
Thee!
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