The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a solemnity in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. Here are some key points related to the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Observed on the second Friday after Trinity Sunday. Also known as the Divine Compassion of Christ in some Anglican Franciscan traditions. First celebrated in Rennes, France in 1670. Spread throughout France and eventually the world, gaining popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. Elevated to a solemnity in 1969
Currently, it is celebrated on the second Friday following Trinity Sunday. Date can range from May 29 to July 2, depending on the date of Easter. In some places, the feast is transferred to the following Sunday.
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a celebration that falls 19 days after Pentecost on a Friday. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was first written about in John’s Gospel. In the 13th century, Saint Gertrude the Great had a vision of Saint John with Jesus during which she discussed the moment at the Last Supper when John leaned back and rested his head on Jesus’ heart.
The French cloistered Visitation Nun Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque received four visions from Jesus revealing His Sacred Heart and His desire that a feast be instituted in its honor, between December 1673 and 1675.
In 1670, Father John Eudes composed a Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart and continued to promote this devotion until his death ten years later. Pope Pius IX placed the Feast of the Sacred Heart on the universal Roman Calendar in 1856, to be celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi.
The central message of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the infinite and compassionate love exploding from the Heart of Jesus for all mankind.
Jesus made twelve promises to those who would honor the Sacred Heart, including peace in their families, consolation in all their troubles and Jesus’ heart as their assured refuge in their last hour of life.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the growth of the confraternity in Ghana is suffering due to the youth not patronizing by joining. Many parishes are full of the elderly and aged members who never relent in praying to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
On this auspicious day, we pray for the growth of the Confraternity, that many young people will avail themselves to propagate the devotion.
Let’s us pray on this day to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus to reign in our country Ghana, for she is consecrated to the care of Jesus. We also pray that the upcoming elections will be peaceful and the for the Catholic Church in Ghana to grow from strength to strength.
By Sr. Gifty Anastasia Blewu SMMC (Sr. Communicator)
