I apologize for being behind on my promised posting schedules, but well, I’ve been TRYING (poorly) to reorder my priorities.
I had planned on writing about three related devotions last month, during the month of the Sacred Heart. Since this month is devoted to the Precious Blood, I thought it would still fit.
In the book, Apostolate of the Holy Motherhood, they recommend 3 devotions related to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
- Practice of the Nine First Fridays, in reparation for sin
- Wearing of the Sacred Heart Badge, and
- Devotion to the Sacred Heart
In the book, Jesus appeared to Mariamante and said:
…Adore My Sacred Heart bruised for your iniquities. Make recompense for your sins by this devotion and have life in the fullest through it.
My Mother’s heart will be your repose, the garden from which you adore your Heavenly Savior Who also rested there in life. My Heart will free you from your troubles if you will abandon yourself to Me in this devotion.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart consists of consecration and reparation. As a part of devotion to the Sacred Heart, you are expected to consecrate yourself to Him by acknowledging him as creator, repenting and resolving to serve Him. You are also supposed to make reparations for the indifference and ingratitude given him by humanity.
Like all major devotions, there are some benefits:
- He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- He will establish peace in their homes.
- He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
- He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
- He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
- Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honored.
- He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
- In the excessive mercy of His Heart that His all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
In order to receive these promises, you must receive frequent communion, observe the Nine First Fridays by going to Confession, receiving Communion and offering your prayers for the intention of the Holy Father (if public First Friday services are not available), going to Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays for an hour, and celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which is Friday following the Second Sunday after Pentacost.
Some items of note regarding the devotional practices:
- Eucharistic Adoration is on Thursdays because that is the day when Jesus was in Gethsemani with the Apostles and asked them, “Couldst thou not watch one hour?” (Mark 14:37)
- You could also prepare for the Feast of the Sacred Heart by beginning a Novena on the Feast of Corpus Christi.
It’s not required as one of the practices of Devotion to the Sacred Heart, but there is also a Sacred Heart Badge that can be worn. The full story of the history of the Sacred Heart Badge can be found here, but there is a partial indulgence offered for those who piously wear the badge and a say the Our Father, Glory Be, and Hail Mary, daily.
We may have missed the Feast of the Sacred Heart, but you can get the badge anytime and begin doing the Nine First Fridays and related devotions immediately.
Can you find time to go to confession once a month, daily mass once a month and spend an hour a week with the Lord?
[…] month, I wrote about the need for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Because this month is devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I thought that it would be […]