The 1st of June also begins the month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I’m sure we will all remember the Sacred Heart picture hanging in our homes with the red light underneath. The light was always on and it became a comforting sign that the love and mercy of Jesus is ALWAYS with us.

The modern devotion to the Sacred Heart began with a French nun called St Margaret Mary Alacoque. Margaret Mary was born in 1647 in Burgundy, France and entered the Monastery of the Visitation in Paray-le-Monial on the 25 of May, 1671. This was a cloistered community of Visitation Nuns founded by St Frances de Sales and St Jane de Chantal. It was in this Convent that Margaret Mary was to encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Over the coming days and weeks, we will explore some of these encounters and what the message of Sacred Heart has to say to us today. This is the prayer we are using at Mass each day during the month of June:

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord Jesus, you deserve all honour and praise,
because your love is perfect and your heart full of Mercy.

I thank you for the many blessings and graces you have bestowed upon me and those whom I love.

I turn now to your Most Sacred Heart and place all my worries, troubles and anxieties into your merciful care along with the needs of all who have asked me to pray for them. I bring to you my needs and ask you to hear my prayers (MENTION HERE YOUR INTENTIONS / PRAYERS)

May I always be attentive and never take for granted the gifts of mercy and love that flow so freely and generously from your Sacred Heart.

Heart of Jesus, I adore you.
Heart of Jesus, I praise you.
Heart of Jesus, I thank you.
Heart of Jesus, I love you forever and always.
Amen.

You can also listen to the podcast of this reflection here: