Sacred Heart and Fathers
Fr. Timothy Barr

Last Friday was the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This feast day was founded by Jesus Himself when he came to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Why? As long as Christianity had been around, people still had (and have, even today) a hard time understanding how much the Father, Son and Holy Spirit really love us.

At the time of St. Margaret Mary, there was a heresy plaguing the Church called Jansenism. Jansenists believed that God's love and mercy is limited. He just had His chosen few holy ones, but the rest of the poor souls would still burn in hell regardless of how hard they tried. The image of the Sacred Heart reveals His love for us. The Jansenists were opposed to the image, but the faithful were so drawn to it and its promises that many souls were converted and became more fervent. In the divine plan of God, you can see how it paved the way for the image of Divine Mercy; also founded by Jesus Himself.

If you, too, want to grow in holiness, I encourage you to put an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a place of prominence in your home. Here are the promises that Jesus gave us for those who venerate this image in their homes.

• "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of Life."
• "I will establish peace in their homes."
• "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
• "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
• "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings."
• "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of Mercy."
• "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
• "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
• "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and Honored."
• "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
• "Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."

Now, these promises are not blanket promises after which we can commit mortal sin and get by with it. Rather, these promises reflect our relationship with Jesus if we honestly seek Him in love. So where can I get this image? Nearly any Catholic store should have one; however, the picture on the front of this bulletin could be put in a 4”x 6” picture frame. Those graces could go into effect as soon as you get home!

Fathers, there is great power in your prayers to set up, honor and consecrate your family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. God has created you for your wife and children; and your wife and children for you. In other words, you were ordained by God to be the Father and protector of your family. What better way to fulfill this obligation and what better gift can you give than all the supernatural blessings waiting for your family by putting them under the protection and guidance of the Heart of Jesus?

Happy Fathers Day!!

Fr. Barr

Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

My God, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings
in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
for the intentions for which He pleads
and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
in thanksgiving for Your favors, in reparation for my sins,
and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare,
for the needs of our holy Mother the Church,
for the conversion of sinners,
and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory.