June is Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion that invites believers into the depths of Christ's boundless love. This profound devotion emphasizes the physical heart of Jesus as a symbol of His divine and human love for humanity. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "The Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, is quite simply the image of God's infinite love" (CCC 478). This devotion is not merely sentimental but draws us into the very core of Christ's being, a love so immense it led Him to suffer and die for our redemption.

The roots of this devotion are significantly tied to the revelations received by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Through a series of visions, Christ revealed to her His Sacred Heart, deeply wounded by the indifference and ingratitude of humanity, yet overflowing with mercy and a desire for reparation. Saint Margaret Mary often recounted Jesus's words, such as "Behold the Heart which has loved men so much, that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify¹ to them its love." These revelations spurred the formal development and spread of the devotion, emphasizing acts of love, reparation, and consecration to the Sacred Heart.

Practicing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June and throughout the year calls Catholics to respond to Christ's immense love with love in return. This can be expressed through frequent reception of the Eucharist, acts of penance and reparation for sins, and consecration of oneself and one's family to the Sacred Heart. The Catechism further clarifies that "the devotion to the Sacred Heart represents 'the sum of all our religion and, for this reason, the most perfect way of entering into the most intimate relations with God'" (CCC 2669, quoting Pius XII). By embracing this devotion, the faithful are drawn into a deeper union with Christ, fostering a heart more aligned with His own, filled with compassion, forgiveness, and an ardent desire to serve Him and our neighbor.

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