A MESSAGE BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR, REV. FR. BERNARD OBENG-GYAMFI ON THE 10TH NATIONAL SACRED HEART OF JESUS CONGRESS AND THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL SACRED HEART OF JESUS ENTHRONEMENT CENTRE, GHANA.
Peace be with you!
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was revealed by Jesus Himself when He appeared several times to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun (sister) at Paray-le-Monial, France between 1673 and 1675. Jesus requested a special Devotion to His Sacred Heart, a symbol of JESUS (Himself) and His Love for humanity.
In one of His apparitions to St. Margaret Mary, Jesus complained when He showed His open Heart to her saying: “Behold this Heart, which has loved so much, but has received nothing but coldness, indifference and ingratitude in return”. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque thus, became the instrument and the modern Apostle chosen by Jesus Christ Himself for the promotion of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The purpose of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to focus our hearts on receiving and returning Jesus’ love with gratitude – with all of our hearts, soul, strength – that He may be glorified and worshipped.
The Devotion also aims at promoting an authentic Catholic devotion and worship of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The devotion is a Eucharistic centered, which aims to enkindle in the hearts of men and women true love and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Holy Trinity.
Again, the devotion seeks to set on fire the hearts and souls for Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
In return, Jesus promises great rewards in this life and eternal life with Him in heaven.
There are notably twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. They are:
- I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
- I will give peace in their families.
- I will console them in all their troubles.
- I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.
- I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
- I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.
- I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
- Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my Heart.
- In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the first Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: They will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.
In July, 1974, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference inaugurated the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre, Ghana. Its mission was to promote the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as requested in our Dioceses, Churches, Parishes, homes and families), etc.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference tasked the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre to ensure that a National Sacred Heart Congress is held every five years. Hence, all the National Sacred Heart Congresses are held under the auspices of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The main essence of these Congresses is to promote the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our parishes, churches and homes and the need for personal spiritual growth with its attendant effectiveness in the family.
The National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre, Ghana, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, 2024. The Golden Jubilee celebration and the 10th National Congress would jointly be celebrated at Tamale Jubilee Park from Thursday, 5th to Sunday, 8th September, 2024.
All our Archbishops and Bishops will fully participate in the Congress. Our National Congresses are also attended by foreign dignitaries and some of our sister West African countries.
The theme for the 2024 National Congress is: “NATIONAL SACRED HEART OF JESUS ENTHRONEMENT CENTRE, GHANA @ 50: BUILDING A SYNODAL CHURCH, THE ROLE OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS DEVOTIONAL PRACTICES BY THE CATHOLIC FAMILY”.
In this light, the Confraternity is poised through the Sacred Heart devotional practices by the Catholic family to champion the growth of the Church, especially in these eras of the dwindling population of the Church and waning of the Sacred Heart devotion.
The youth Is our concern. We would endeavor to propose to them through the Sacred Heart devotional practices by the Catholic family, the love for Jesus, the quest for purity, honesty, truthfulness, holiness, hard work, integrity and so on, by upholding the tenets of the faith! We, therefore, call on parents, teachers, catechists, priests, religious and opinion leaders in our society, to give the youth models and values to emulate so as to save them from moral degradation!
We are all encouraged to embrace and learn more about this beautiful devotion and to grow in our love for the burning Heart of Jesus. It is only when we learn to imitate the true, costly and sacrificial love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that we will discover our true vocation as Catholics.
As a Confraternity, we would want to renew our resolve and commitment to make every effort to promote the Sacred Heart Devotion and the growth of the Church. This truly is what the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre, Ghana and the forthcoming 2024 National Congress seek to achieve.
All Catholics and Devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centres are graciously informed officially to prepare for the Congress, to be held in Tamale, with our prayers and every other support, most importantly, we humbly appeal for your financial support to make the upcoming National Congress and Golden Jubilee celebration a big success and a grace-filled occasion.
Supporting the Congress and the Golden Jubilee celebration with your widow’s mite is your contribution to the extension of the Social Reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in all homes, Churches and workplaces in Ghana and beyond. Sacred devotees and our Priests will continuously pray for your special intentions in our Masses, Novenas and Triduums.
Jesus, the gracious Lord will certainly bless and reward abundantly every soul who donates generously to make Him known, loved and worshipped.
You may please reach out to any of the following people for further details:
- The Vicar General of Tamale Archdiocese (The Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee – 0205259550
- The National President – 0243120115
- The National Spiritual Director – 0244740757
- The National Treasurer – 0547763105
- The National Financial Secretary – 0200363492
- Fundraising Committee Convener – 0208266255
- The Spiritual Director, Tamale Archdiocesan Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre – 0592130660
Thank you and may God bless you greatly!
