In His revelations to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque from 1673-1675, Our Lord Jesus Christ asked that He be “honored under the figure of His heart of flesh … environed with flames, crowned with thorns, and surmounted by a cross”. The Divine Mercy devotion removes the Sacred Heart from the image of Jesus.
It seems self-evident that there is a contradiction here. Did Jesus ever explain to Sister Faustina why He changed His mind? Let’s discuss this.
In His approved revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Our Lord specifically asked for devotion to the image of His Sacred Heart.
In the words of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:
“One day, on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, after Holy Communion, the Heart of Jesus was represented to me as on a throne, formed of fire and flames, shedding rays on every side and brighter than the sun. The wound which He received upon the Cross was clearly visible; a crown of thorns encircled the Sacred Heart, and it was surmounted by a cross.
“Our divine Savior gave me to understand that those instruments of the Passion signified that the source of all His sufferings had been the boundless love of His Heart for men; that all those torments and insults had been placed before Him, from the first moment of His Incarnation; and that the Cross was, so to say, planted in His Heart, from that moment. And then, from that same moment, He accepted all the sorrows and humiliations which His sacred humanity was to suffer during the course of His mortal life, together with all the outrages to which He was to expose Himself to the end of time for the love of mankind by dwelling amongst them in the Blessed Sacrament.”
Today, December 29, we mark the 94th anniversary of the death of Sister Josefa Menendez, the humble nun who wrote “The Way of Divine Love”. In paperback from TAN, or in Kindle. We’ve written about the beautiful Way of Divine Love before and about Sister Josefa’s deep devotion to the Divine Infant. But now we will focus on the most often overlooked or misunderstood concept in Josefa’s writings: true humility.
The writings of Sister Josefa echo in many ways the writings of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and one can discern a hint of them in Sister Lucia’s writings as well. I strongly suspect that the true writings of Sister Lucia would bear even more resemblance to both of them were we to have access to them. This is because Our Lord Jesus Christ has been telling us in no uncertain terms, what is necessary to counter-act the spiritual terrorism of the arrogant pride prevailing in the world today.
Tragically, this diabolical pride has so captivated the souls of mankind that today among the vast majority of people, there is a rigid resistance to Our Lord’s plea for humility of heart. Mankind has developed a resistance to the grace of God much as some disease bacteria develop a resistance to antibiotics, and now they despise the “poor in spirit” as lacking in self esteem, and care not a whit for the “Kingdom of Heaven”. Continue reading “The Way of Divine Love and the Message of Fatima, 2021”→
Hail, O Virgin of Guadalupe, Empress of America! Keep forever under thy powerful patronage the purity and integrity of Our Holy Faith on the entire American continent. Amen. (Pope Pius XII)
Pope Pius XII is reported to have said of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “For we are certain, that as long as you are recognized as Queen and Mother, Mexico and America will be safe.” Think about that as you survey the horrid wreckage of the faith and Christian culture throughout the countries of the entire Americas today. And then, consider how simply we could restore the glory of Holy Church by following the request of Our Lord Jesus Christ to return to His Sacred Heart by means of the sure path He has given us, devotion to the Immaculata, the Woman Clothed with the Sun.
THE AGE OF APOSTASY
The Age of Apostasy began with the disobedience of Luther, who was Lucifer’s own priest, and whose revolt ripped through Christendom in the sixteenth century and left in its wake an orphan people, bereft of grace, endlessly prating about the dignity of man while assiduously destroying any sign of man’s true dignity which is to be found only in the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For our sole dignity is in Our Lord Jesus Christ who has first loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. (Apoc. 1,5) Continue reading “From Guadalupe to Fatima, 2021”→
Repost “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” (Psalm 94, v8), (Heb. 3,15)
Wherein we reiterate that the requests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary still remain to be fulfilled. Indeed, they are more pressing now than ever.
The devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Christ the King, and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are inseparable, They are in no way disparate, nor are they contradictory. And these are inseparable as well from the Mass and most especially, the Holy Eucharist. Furthermore, the requests, demands really, of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, as relayed by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1689, still stand today,more than three centuries after they were made known. Once God has uttered a request, it does not cease to be simply because centuries pass while Catholics turn an indifferent ear to them.
Hail, O Virgin of Guadalupe, Empress of America! Keep forever under thy powerful patronage the purity and integrity of Our Holy Faith on the entire American continent. Amen. (Pope Pius XII)
Pope Pius XII is reported to have said of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “For we are certain, that as long as you are recognized as Queen and Mother, Mexico and America will be safe.” Think about that as you survey the horrid wreckage of the faith and Christian culture throughout the countries of the entire Americas today. And then, consider how simply we could restore the glory of Holy Church by following the request of Our Lord Jesus Christ to return to His Sacred Heart by means of the sure path He has given us, devotion to the Immaculata, the Woman Clothed with the Sun.
THE AGE OF APOSTASY
The Age of Apostasy began with the disobedience of Luther, who was Lucifer’s own priest, and whose revolt ripped through Christendom in the sixteenth century and left in its wake an orphan people, bereft of grace, endlessly prating about the dignity of man while assiduously destroying any sign of man’s true dignity which is to be found only in the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For our sole dignity is in Our Lord Jesus Christ who has first loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. (Apoc. 1,5)
In response to this monumental affront, He Who is love sent the world His love! That is to say, Our Lord granted to us His own most beloved Mother. Even as the foul-mouthed Luther was delivering his scatological “sermons”, Our Lord sent the Blessed Virgin to her children in the New World to grant them the favor of her image, miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego’s cactus cloth tilma. This image displays Our Lady as the “Woman clothed with the Sun” of Apocalypse 12. Thus, we see Our Lord counter the hateful disobedience of Luther with loving obedience, and counter what is foul and ugly with what is pure and beautiful, and counter deceit with Truth.
THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN
To this end, the magnificent work of the Mother of God began with her apparitions in Mexico in December, 1531, and followed in succession by her apparitions to Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres in the Conceptionist Convent in Quito, Ecuador in the early 17th century, the apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesusto Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque of the Visitation Convent in Paray-le-Monial, France beginning in December, 1673. These actions of the Divine Mercy were in turn followed by the apparitions at Rue du Bac, (1830) where Our Lady granted the Medal of the Immaculate Conception (Miraculous Medal) to her children through St. Catherine Labouré, a nun of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Our Lady’s appearance to Saint Catherine Labouré was quickly followed by three more more divine interventions; La Salette, (September, 1851), Lourdes from February until March 25, 1858 and at Knock(August, 1879).
The sequence of the interventions reveals a significant development. By Our Lady’s appearance at Guadalupe in the image of the Immaculata, clothed with the Sun, “she who crushes the serpent’s head”, the challenge of Lucifer’s Luther was met by God’s Virgin Mother. This intervention countered Luther’s attack on souls with the Virgin’s offering of salvation to whole nations who had never known the true God. By it, many millions of souls were saved and a message of obedient trust in Mary was given for her children.
In those days, Satan had ripped away 5,000,000 souls from the bosom of the faith by Protestantism but their numbers were more than replaced in a few years by the intervention of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which gained for the Bride of Christ more than 9,000,000 Aztec converts (out of 10 million).
In her image, we are led to Apocalypse 12; for in both images she is clothed with the sun and stands on the new moon. This is significant for several reasons, but most relevant for the present time is its indication that she will come again to conquer the sect that has so persecuted Christians for centuries; and that this will usher in a period of peace.
OUR LADY OF GOOD SUCCESS
The apparitions of Our Lady of Good Success in the next century gave us a comforting prophecy for our times, the times of an almost total corruption of society; but which is paradoxically the beginning of the “Good Success” of the victory of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. For just as Our Lord Jesus Christ conquered death by dying only to rise again, so by His will, His most Blessed Mother will conquer the sin infecting the Holy Church. This sin – which is slavery to satan – is being drawn out, to be seen by all, even the most recalcitrant, in all its horrid ugliness; and it will be soon cast from the Holy Church, by virtue of this Woman, clothed with the Sun, she who is “conceived without sin”.
THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
But that sign was not as widely known in those days, for it was meant for these days. Then came Our Lord Himself in the 17th century, Who promised us great graces for honoring Him in the image of His most Sacred Heart. Although this most powerful devotion was declined by the Kings of France, Our Lord’s command remains in force and when at last it is obeyed we shall see great progress in the restoration. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is united with the Immaculate Heart of His Mother and so the following centuries saw an increase in Marian apparitions which emphasized the Immaculate Conception and called the faithful to pray for sinners, to repent and offer penance.
OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE
When Our Lady’s message to Melanie and Maximin was silenced by the powerful sect of satan both within and without the Church, Our Lady eloquently appeared in a silent tableau at Knock, Ireland to express the suppressed message (warning). Her sorrowful tears at La Salette replaced by a cold, driving rain. La Salette’s warning of the apostasy of the Church, was enforced by the apocalyptic apparition occurring outside the church of a priest who refused to recognise it. The altar at Knock was stripped bare, but the Sacrificial Lamb gives voice to the now suppressed Sacrifice.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
In between those visits, Our Lady intervened at Lourdes to offer us another sign of her mercy. There, she confirms that she is the Immaculate Conception, and requests penance after granting the faithful a miraculous spring of healing waters. See the progression: growing emphasis on devotion to her Immaculate Conception, coupled with signs of grace such as the Miraculous Medal and the Holy Water of Lourdes. She nourishes us and defends us while with her apparitions she urges us to preserve the faith.
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY AT FATIMA
The divine interventions of the 19th century were crowned by the Queen of apparitions, that of Fatima, Portugal in 1917. These apparitions occurred in the bloodiest century in the history of the world, in the year which saw the resurgence of the great red dragon in direct contradiction to the most Blessed Virgin; and this bloody battle is quickly ascending to its terrifying climax. For the House of God has been almost thoroughly eclipsed by the one world church of man. Lucifer is enthroned in the Vatican and Luther appears to have supplanted the Blessed Virgin at the foot of the Cross. See our post “Convergence“. (NOTE: This links should work now)
And now as we approach the height of the spiritual and material Chastisements, in her visits to Fatima, this same Woman clothed with the sun offers us her Rosary, her Scapular, and Total Consecration, that is, total Devotion to her Immaculate Heart as our surest, safest means through the darkness and chaos to eternal blessedness with Jesus our Savior in heaven. Without these means we shall be utterly lost in this dread battle.
For the Church is crucified today; it is the Passiontide of the Bride of Christ. During Our Lord’s Passion, it appeared that the foulness of the sinful world had covered His beautiful visage and now the foulness of the ancient enemy appears to obscure the beauty of the Church. However, we shall soon see her true splendor!
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IS THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Note that Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Immaculate Conception. In this sign, she shall crush the serpent’s head. It is good to honor her today, preferably with the Mass, but also, very urgently, to pray all 15 decades of her Rosary, in reparation for the shameless idolatry promoted under the auspices of Pope Bergoglio and accepted by the apostate church, and for the triumph of her Immaculate Heart. And we treasure in our hearts always her words to Saint Juan Diego,
“Hear me and understand well, my little son, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”
For a more complete exposition of the message of Guadalupe, including prayers, we recommend Mariana Bartold’s “Guadalupe, Secrets of the Image“.
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live our Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff. † Most Precious Blood of Jesus, save us, save our priests. † Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come – Viva Cristo Rey! † St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. † Remember, pray the rosary and confound satan.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
Today, we honor Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, beloved Spouse of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by sharing with you some of her own beautiful prayers and devotions, many of which originated in her colloquies with Our Lord Jesus Christ. By now, no doubt you have noticed that the common thread running throughout the lives of those privileged to converse intimately with Our Lord is their humility, obedience and generosity in carrying the Cross. These qualities shine through in St. Margaret Mary’s prayers, simple, unpretentious and to the point.
PRAYER OF ST. MARGARET MARY
My God, I offer Thee Thy well-beloved Son, in thanksgiving for all the benefits I have received from Thee. I offer Him as my adoration, my petition, my oblation and my resolutions; I offer Him as my love and my all. Receive, O Eternal Father, this offering for whatever Thou willest of me, since I have nothing to offer which is not unworthy of Thee, except Jesus, my Saviour, Whom Thou hast given me with so much love. Amen.
Note the similarity to this prayer from Saint Bridget who was also devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
Evening Offering of the Sacred Heart
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with His love, His sufferings and His merits; first, in reparation for all the sins I have committed during this day, and during all my life. Second, to purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Third, to supply for the good which I ought to have done this day and during all my life, and which I have neglected. Amen.
CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS (Composed by St. Margaret Mary.)
O Sacred Heart of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O most merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited.
I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee. I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite goodness, grant that my name be engraved on Thee, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen
PRAYER TO ST. MARGARET MARY
O St. Margaret Mary, permitted by the Sacred Heart of Jesus to become partaker of Its divine treasures, obtain for us, we beseech thee, from that adorable Heart, the graces that we need. We ask for them with boundless confidence; may the divine Heart be willing to grant them to us through thine intercession, so that once again It may, through thee, be glorified and loved. Amen.
THIRTY-THREE VISITS TO OUR LORD ON THE CROSS (To be made on Fridays.)
This devotion was taught by our Saviour Himself to St. Margaret Mary, with a view to the conversion of sinners and was to be made on Fridays.
This is what the saint wrote about it:
“One Friday, during holy Mass, I felt a great desire to honor the sufferings of my crucified Spouse. He told me lovingly that He desired me, every Friday, to adore Him thirty-three times upon the Cross, the throne of His mercy.
“I was to prostrate myself humbly at His feet, and try to remain there in the dispositions of the Blessed Virgin during His Passion. I was to offer these acts of adoration to the Eternal Father together with the sufferings of her divine Son, to beg of Him the conversion of all hardened and faithless hearts who resist the impulse of His grace. He told me, moreover, that at the hour of death He will be favorable to those who have been faithful to this practice.
“These thirty-three acts of adoration of our Lord on the Cross may be made anywhere on Fridays, and even while attending to one’s ordinary work. They require no special attitude, formula or vocal prayer. A simple look of love and contrition, coming from the depths of our heart and sent up to our crucified Lord is sufficient to express our adoration and our gratitude to Him. It is also an appeal to the Blessed Virgin to intercede with the Heavenly Father for the conversion of sinners.”
The efficacy of this devotion is proved by the consoling conversions which it obtains and by the holy deaths which are its fruit. We venture to say that it becomes a source of graces to all those who practice it, for never in vain does one approach Jesus Christ Crucified.
NOTE: For those of us who are unable to visit the most Blessed Sacrament on most Fridays, the saint advises that this visit may be made anywhere, even while we are working. I have always taken this to mean that the prostrations may be interior, as most of us work in circumstances that do not allow us much privacy. Even for those retirees like myself, it is often impossible to have much truly private time, but I have found that it is still possible to count off my acts of adoration on my Rosary, by simply using a brass safety pin to mark off 33 beads.
I have also found it helpful to simply recite the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, making an act of adoration with each petition to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – did you know there just happens to be 33 of them?!
LITANY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS (For public or private use.)
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Substantially united to the Word of God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Infinite Majesty, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of charity, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Vessel of Justice and love, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Full of goodness and love, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all virtues, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Most worthy of all praises, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Divinity, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Whose fullness we have all received, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Desire of the everlasting hills, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Patient and abounding in mercy, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Rich unto all who call upon Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Fountain of life and holiness, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Atonement for our sins, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Filled with reproaches, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Bruised for our offenses, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Made obedient unto death, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a lance, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Life and Resurrection, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and Reconciliation, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who hope in Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Hope of those who die in Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Delight of all the Saints, Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most-beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live your Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff. † Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come! Viva Cristo Rey! † St. Joseph, protect us, protect our families, protect our priests. † St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, King.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
On her feast day, we offer a few excerpts from the Autobiography which St. Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote in obedience to her superiors. Her flawless humility and obedience made her the perfect choice to reawaken devotion to Our Lord’s most Sacred Heart, and this extraordinary saint still inspires us with her devotion to serving Our Lord with mortifications and the most perfect obedience.
When you read the following words of this saint, do not get disheartened, but instead be thankful that we have Our Lady of the Rosary to keep us close to her Immaculate Heart. For she leads her children securely to the safety of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and we know that He has reserved a place for her children.
St. Margaret Mary’s heroic virtues seem to place her on a hopelessly high level, too far above us to even aspire towards, but she arrived there by love, and so we too, petition our Blessed Mother for the grace to ever love her Son more and more. We beg her for generous, sacrificial hearts. The following is a personal favorite; it’s useful to review from time to time to ward off self-indulgence and renew our resolution. In her own words . . .
Saint Margaret Mary’s Recipe for Success:
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee!† . He willed that I should receive everything as coming from Him without procuring anything for myself; that I should abandon all to Him without disposing of anything; and that I should thank Him for suffering as well as for enjoyment.
† . On the most painful and humiliating occasions I should consider that I not only deserved these, but even greater ones, and should offer the pain I experienced for the persons who afflicted me.
† . Further, I was always to speak of Him with great respect, of my neighbor with esteem and compassion, and of myself never, or, at least, briefly and with contempt, unless for His glory He should make me do otherwise.
† . I was ever to attribute all the good and the glory to His sovereign Greatness, and all the evil to myself; never to seek consolation out of Him, and even when He granted it to me, to renounce and offer it to Him.
† . I was to cling to nothing, to empty and despoil myself of everything, to love nothing but Him, in Him and for the love of Him, to see in all things naught but Him and the interests of His glory in complete forgetfulness of myself.
† . And though I was to do all my actions for Him, He willed that His Divine Heart should have a special part in each one. For example, when at recreation, I was to offer Him Its share by enduring sufferings, humiliations, mortifications and the rest, with which He would always provide me, and which on that account I was to accept willingly.
† . In like manner in the refectory I was to give up for Its satisfaction whatever was most to my taste, and so on with all my other exercises.
† . He likewise forbade me to judge, accuse or condemn anyone but myself.
† . He gave me many other instructions, and as I was astonished at their number, He told me to fear nothing, for He was a good Master, being as powerful to have His teaching carried into effect, as He was all-wise both to teach and to govern well.
† . Thus I can affirm that, whether I would or not, I was obliged to do what He wished in spite of my natural repugnance.
Note that Our Lord requires that Saint Margaret Mary consider herself deserving of painful humiliations, that she was to consider herself with contempt. This is a bit “off-putting” to modern ears, isn’t it? That is meant to show you how far we have strayed! We all tend to feel entitled to think well of ourselves and only desire to follow devotions that reassure our very sensitive natures with flattery and cloying platitudes. But Saint Margaret Mary, like Saint John of the Cross, understands that the only way forward is through “less of me, less of me and more of Thee, until all is Thee.”
THE PRAYER OF ST. MARGARET MARY
My God, I offer Thee Thy well-beloved Son, in thanksgiving for all the benefits I have received from Thee. I offer Him as my adoration, my petition, my oblation and my resolutions; I offer Him as my love and my all. Receive, O Eternal Father, this offering for whatever Thou willest of me, since I have nothing to offer which is not unworthy of Thee, except Jesus, my Saviour, Whom Thou hast given me with so much love. Amen.
CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS (Composed by St. Margaret Mary.)
O Sacred Heart of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O most merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited.
I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee. I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite goodness, grant that my name be engraved on Thee, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. MARGARET MARY
O St. Margaret Mary, permitted by the Sacred Heart of Jesus to become partaker of Its divine treasures, obtain for us, we beseech thee, from that adorable Heart, the graces that we need. We ask for them with boundless confidence; may the divine Heart be willing to grant them to us through thy intercession, so that once again It may, through thee, be glorified and loved. Amen.
(St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Autobiography of Saint Margaret Mary TAN Books. Kindle Edition.)
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live your Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff.
On His feast day, we honor this Sacred Heart of our Savior by whom we are made in love, redeemed in love and Who asks our love in return.
To begin with, let’s renew our Consecration with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’s Prayer:
CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
O Sacred Heart of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O most merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited.
I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee. I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite goodness, grant that my name be engraved on Thee, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen
TRUE DEVOTION AND THE IMAGE OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Our Lord gave us the image of His Sacred Heart in order to awaken in us the realization of His immense love and to arouse our love for Him in return. This became even more urgent as the errors of Protestantism began to drag so many souls to perdition. In Our Lord’s revelations to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, we see that veneration of the image of His Sacred Heart was an essential portion of His revelations.
Today, we will consider briefly the components of this veneration of the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
From Saint Margaret Mary herself:
“One day, on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, after having received from my Divine Saviour a favor similar to that bestowed upon the Beloved Disciple, of reposing on the bosom of Our Lord, the Divine Heart was represented to me on a throne of fire and flames, shedding on every side rays brighter than the sun and transparent as crystal. The Wound which He had received upon the Cross appeared there visibly; a crown of thorns encircled the adorable Heart, and It was surmounted by a cross. “These instruments of His Passion signified, as my Divine Master gave me to understand, that it was His unbounded love for man which had been the source of all His sufferings.
“From the first moment of His Incarnation all these torments had been planted in His Heart. From that moment He accepted all the pains and humiliations which His Sacred Humanity was to suffer during the whole course of His mortal life, and even the outrages to which His love for man would expose Him till the end of time in the Blessed Sacrament.
“He revealed to me afterwards that it was the great desire of disclosing to mankind His Heart, and of giving them in these ‘latter times’ this last proof of His love, that induced Him to propose to them an object and a means so calculated to win their love. He opens to them His Sacred Heart with all the treasures of love, mercy and graces of sanctification and salvation which It contains.”
PROMISES TO THOSE WHO VENERATE THE IMAGE OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
There is a widely circulated list of promises of Our Lord for those who venerate the image of His Sacred Heart. Since it is easily found, I will not copy it, but prefer to limit my words to that which I discern in the saint’s own writings.
According to St. Margaret Mary,
“He promised to pour into the hearts of all who would venerate His image the fullness of gifts with which His Sacred Heart abounds, saying that wherever this image would be exposed for special veneration, it would draw down upon the place every kind of blessing.” Furthermore, He promised that all who would contribute to afford Him this joy would be blessed with graces of sanctification and salvation in superabundant measure. St. Margaret Mary wrote to a superior who caused the first picture of the Sacred Heart to be drawn: “For this service Our Lord will engrave your name in His Heart ineffaceably; the other rewards I am not permitted to reveal to you.”
The sentiments which a picture of the Sacred Heart should incite in our souls may easily be inferred from the symbols with which our blessed Lord Himself wished to surround this image.
FLAMES ISSUING FROM THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
First, the flames bursting forth and enveloping It show the vehement love with which It loves us. “Behold this Heart that has loved men so much!” In order to conquer our indifference and to leave no excuse for ignorance, He discloses to us His Divine Heart, His strong desire being to inflame us with a grateful return of love. “Son, give Me thy heart!” He pleads to all. The love He demands is a practical, sacrificial love of complete devotion to Him. This burning love of His desires no less than to kindle fire of the same love in our own hearts.
When we see an image of the Sacred Heart, it beckons us to respond with an act of love, “O my Jesus, I love Thee, I give Thee my heart; give me Thy holy love!” Just a simple act of love like this is of immense merit and gives our loving Savior so much consolation in this great Passion of the Church.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, by interior acts of love, rose in a short time to an astonishing degree of sanctity. Nothing dispels Satan more quickly when he tempts us than an efficacious act of love. Hence, St. Francis de Sales advises us to make acts of love in time of temptation.
THE SACRED HEART ENCIRCLED WITH A CROWN OF THORNS
The crown of thorns encircling the Heart of Jesus typifies the injuries inflicted upon It by the ingratitude Our Lord receives in return for His love. Today, even so-called faithful Catholics are largely indifferent to the suffering of Jesus Christ in this Passion. They are far more concerned, often, for the humiliation they suffer at the hands of the apostates who have become the visible facade of the faith. There is no shortage of scandal and outrage over the auto-demolition of the church. But there is a great danger that we overlook whose Church this really is — we must not forget that this Church is the beautiful and pure Bride of Our Lord Jesus Christ! let us not lose sight of that! Let us promise that we, at least, will not place the thorns of indifference in Our Lord’s most Sacred Heart!
Jesus gave us the Sacrament of His love to be the food of our soul. But in this Blessed Sacrament, the most painful wounds are inflicted on His Sacred Heart!
“Behold the Heart that has loved men so much that It has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify to them Its love. But in return I receive from the greater part of mankind only ingratitude, by reason of the contempt, irreverence, sacrilege and coldness shown Me in this Sacrament of Love. And what I feel still more painfully is that hearts consecrated to Me treat Me thus!”
Our Lord revealed the devotion to His Sacred Heart especially to obtain reparation and atonement. For this reason He appeared in the Sacred Host to St. Margaret Mary and united this devotion most intimately with devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Those who venerate the Sacred Heart of Jesus should have great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Our Lord desires especially the Communion of Reparation. Without reparation, devotion to His Sacred Heart would not be complete.
THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
SURMOUNTED WITH A CROSS
The Cross surmounting the Heart of Jesus is a further testimony of Our Lord’s love for us; it reminds us particularly of His bitter Passion and Death. Today, in this Passion of the Church, reverence for the Cross is essential as the token of His Passion. This cross, planted in His Sacred Heart beckons to us to come and do likewise: and so we take up our crosses allowing our hearts to be consumed with love for Him. Many saints are represented holding a crucifix in their hands as a sign of their special devotion to the sufferings of Christ. Holy Church numbers among her saints more than 60 persons who bore the sacred stigmata in their body.
Countless are the revelations of saints regarding the precious graces connected with devotion to the Passion of our Saviour. Our Lord once said to Blessed Angela of Foligno: “Those who seriously meditate on My Passion are in truth My children; the others are so in name only.” St. Augustine declares: “A single tear shed in remembrance of the sufferings of Christ is of more value than a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, or a year’s fasting on bread and water, if it be not performed with the same love.” On this account our Divine Saviour wishes the devotion to His Sacred Heart to be practiced especially on Fridays. On that day He gave the highest proof of His love, and we should make Him a return of love by patience in our sufferings.Love for the Cross is the fruit of true devotion to the Sacred Heart. The perfection of love consists in pure suffering for the Beloved.
THE WOUND IN THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Devotion to the Heart of Jesus originated the moment when that Divine Heart was pierced with the lance. In this adorable Heart, sacred mysteries lie hidden, and in contemplating them, we grow in grace and devotion.
St. Margaret Mary understood this well, for when she drew the first little image of the Sacred Heart, she represented It with a gaping wound, in which she inscribed the word: “Caritas.” St. Frances of Rome relates that once she beheld the Wound of the Heart of Jesus, from which gushed forth a stream of living water. At the same time she heard these words:
“I am Love crying aloud: ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’ I will satiate those who follow My invitation; it is just for this reason that I permitted My Heart to be pierced, that I might be able to receive all therein as in a place of refuge.”
A remarkable passage of the Apocalypse which has been quoted as applicable to our times is “Behold, I have caused a door to be opened before thee, which no one can shut.” (Apoc. 3:8). The Wound of the Heart of Jesus is this wide-open door of salvation for the whole world, this secure place of refuge for repentant sinners.
This Wound is a fountain of immeasurable grace and consolation. To those who venerate His Sacred Heart, our Divine Saviour imparts the Precious Blood and water which issued from His side, that they may offer It unceasingly to the Heavenly Father in expiation for their sins and those of the whole world. Through this offering we can obtain numberless graces for ourselves and others. We should, every morning, place our sufferings, prayers and labors in the pierced Heart of Jesus; there everything will be purified and perfected.
THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS SURROUNDED BY RAYS OF LIGHT
Rays of light always envelop representations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These rays, which dart in every direction, signify the great graces and blessings which emanate from devotion to the Sacred Heart. Most liberal are the promises made by Our Lord to those who venerate His Divine Heart.
“Announce it, and let it be announced to the whole world, that I set neither limit nor measure to My gifts of grace for those who seek them in My Heart!”
This Divine Heart is a superabundant treasure house of all graces necessary for true conversion and He opens up this Heart to all who seek conversion in humility and confidence in Him.
St. Margaret Mary writes: “I know of no devotion better suited to lead a soul in a short time to the summit of perfection.” The Heart of Jesus is the mine and treasure house of graces. However, Our Lord promised not only spiritual favors to those who venerate His Heart, but also aid and comfort in all sufferings. No soul, howsoever abandoned, will fail to find peace and consolation in the Divine Heart. No misfortune is so bitter and hopeless but that the Sacred Heart can change and direct it all for the best.
Our Lord made a very consoling promise to those who promote devotion to His Sacred Heart: “Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.” This is the promise of the grace of final perseverance, the grace of predilection. It promises to those who promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus eternal happiness.
The above thoughts are paraphrased from a very old brochure of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was issued anonymously as True Devotion to the Image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Dear Readers, if we wish to model our own hearts on this most generous and loving heart of our dear Jesus, we cannot set limits, but must open our own hearts up to a total oblation of love for His most Sacred Heart. And how is this done? We return to the words of Our Lord Himself: “Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen explains that it is only thus, by removing the self-love and pride from our heart that we open up our hearts.
By meekness, we understand the importance of conquering anger — now, this anger is all-pervasive in our culture at this time. This world fairly scintillates and shimmers with the diabolical flames of anger It is by meekness that we overcome the petty irritations that arise from the abrasive wounds to our “ego”. You see here, the close connection between meekness and humility.
It takes only a bit of pride, self-love or attachment to our own opinion to make us unable to withstand opposition. This is perfectly evident in others. We see it quite clearly! But in ourselves, it is a struggle to see, and a valuable gift we must beg Our Lord to help us attain. This is where the Immaculata helps us. We ask her for this grace especially, so that we may not be a burden on Our Dear Lord who suffers so greatly now, but may we, by imitating her meek and humble love, offer Him a pleasing repose with us, Great Sacred Heart to little heart!
We can only lose by quitting! Let us resolve never to surrender, never to stop trying to offer all our heart, all our love to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ!
NOTE: I also offer this essay to those who have asked for help to defend devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus vs. the false Divine Mercy Devotion so popular with the Novus Ordo folks. I recommend not arguing but just provide the facts and then pray for the guidance and grace this contentious matter requires.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come , Thy will be done!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, King.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
“For My flesh is meat indeed and My blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him.”
Today, the Thursday following Trinity Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Sacred Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel of John we read:
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is My flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us His flesh to eat? (John 6, 51-53)
Then Jesus said to them:
“Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed: and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me and I live by the Father; so he that eateth Me, the same also shall live by Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever.”
Many therefore of His disciples hearing it, said: This saying is hard and who can hear it? But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured at this, said to them:
“Doth this scandalize you? If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not”
For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that did not believe, and who he was that would betray Him.
And He said: “Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to Me unless it be given him by My Father.”After this many of His disciples went back; and walked no more with Him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: “Will you also go away?”And Simon Peter answered Him: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God. (John 6, 51-70).
To those not of the Catholic faith these teachings are indeed hard. Martin Luther, who began the protestant revolt against the truth, founded his man-made religion on “faith alone, scripture alone”. And now today it has continued to devolve to the point where people can call themselves “Bible Christians” without embracing the truths of the Bible and without believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father, true God and True Man.
As Jesus said, “No man can come to Me, unless it be given to him by the Father.” Although Luther perverted this truth into “only believe”, we know that it refers to the preceding verses in which Jesus states the truth of His abiding presence with us in the Holy Eucharist, to nourish and strengthen us with His Body and Blood until we abide with Him forever in Heaven. On this feast of Corpus Christi pray for our loved ones who “walk no more with Him” and reject this saying which is hard to some but is salvation to those who accept the Word of God.
In the unchanging words of the one true Mass of the Church, at the consecration we pray:
Which oblation do Thou, O God, vouchsafe in all things to make blessed, approved, ratified, reasonable and acceptable, that it may become for us the Body and Blood of Thy most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Who the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands and with His eyes lifted up to heaven, unto Thee, God, His almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, He blessed, broke, and gave It to His disciples, saying: Take all of you and eat of this.
FOR THIS IS MY BODY
In like manner, after He had supped, taking also this excellent chalice into His holy and venerable hands, also giving thanks to Thee, He blessed and gave it to His disciples saying:
Take and drink ye all of this.
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT: THE MYSTERY OF FAITH: WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS.
As often as ye shall do these things, ye shall do them in memory of Me.
The rubrics for the Consecration specify that the priest, after pronouncing the words of Consecration, kneels to adore the Sacred Host and then arises to elevate It for the adoration of all. Again, after Consecrating the wine into the Blood of our Lord, the priest kneels to adore, then rises to elevate the chalice for all to adore.
Today, after a half century of the modernist revolution in the Church, belief in the Real Presence is at an all-time low. Now we have a pope who is the poster child for Vatican II, and he is the proto-typical modernist priest. Here is what Antonio Socci said about Pope Francis on 28 April, 2016. (H/T Rorate Caeli):
In a message today, Pope Bergoglio said precisely the following: “How much I would like us to kneel in veneration before the poor in church.”
Quite frankly, I’d like us to kneel before Jesus Christ, Our Saviour, particularly in front of Our Eucharistic Jesus, seeing that Pope Bergoglio doesn’t kneel at the consecration, as he should do and he doesn’t kneel at Eucharistic Adoration either!
The above was written in 2016. But by now, we have descended into even greater depths of disrespect for the Most Blessed Sacrament. In many of the Dioceses of the world, it is an established practice to welcome protestant spouses, homosexual “couples” and couples who are living in a persistent grave state of sin due to adultery to Holy Communion. Because the Sacred Host is dispensed like a taco into the hands of all who ask, we have the horrible sacrilege of consecrated hosts being offered for sale in classified ads online.
We must not allow ourselves to become disheartened, but must renew our efforts to make reparation for the scandal given by Pope Francis and those unfortunate priests who, blindly following him, give such offense to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
No doubt anticipating the assaults on Our Lord in His Holy Eucharist, St. Michael appeared to the little saints of Fatima in the Autumn of 1916, He held a Chalice in his hand; above it a bleeding Host dropped its Precious Blood into the Chalice. The Angel left the Chalice and Host suspended in the air and led the children to prostrate themselves in adoration before It.
This is the prayer the Angel of Fatima taught them to pray, the prayer the Church has ignored for over a century:
“Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore Thee profoundly, and I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the same Son Jesus Christ present in all the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the sacrileges, outrages, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. Through the infinite merits of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.”
The entire vision and Prayer make such a fruitful source for meditation and we should think on it often. All the more because the Popes and hierarchy have chosen to ignore it!
One of the most neglected messages of Fatima is Jacinta’s stress on praying for the pope. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by offering prayers and penances for this unfortunate man. Yes, Pope Francis shows horrid disrespect for the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. But this is precisely why we should pray for him! Just think how bad it will be for him to face Our Lord as his judge! And so, we must add to our efforts of reparation, prayers for his conversion if we are to be truly the children of Our Lady of Fatima. Even if this pathetic man remains obstinate, we will have obeyed and the grace which he refuses will never be wasted!
For God our Father sees our hearts, knows our sufferings which are united to the sufferings of Our Lord in the Passion of His Bride, the Church, and will have mercy on us all. Pray confidently and expect miracles!
Irresistible Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O my Jesus, Who did say, “Indeed I say to you, ask and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be open to you.” Behold me, knocking, seeking and asking this grace …
Our Father.. .Hail Mary… Glory be…
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.
O my Jesus, who did say, “Indeed I say to you, whatever you shall ask of the Father in My Name, it shall be granted to you.” Behold me, asking Thy Father in Thy Name for this grace …
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.
O my Jesus who did say, “Indeed I say to you, Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Behold me, supporting myself on the infallibility of Thy holy words, I ask of Thee this grace …Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.
Prayer
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom only one thing is impossible, and this is not to feel compassion for poor sinners, have pity on us, miserable sinners, and grant us the grace which we ask of Thee through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who is Thy tender Mother, and also ours. Amen.
Saint Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Guardian of our family, Pray for us.
Hail Holy Queen …
Our Lord will never be outdone in His generosity to souls who seek His mercy in true contrition. And we all need to make sincere reparation for our sins if we are to gain the necessary graces for ourselves, our loved ones and for our misguided pope and bishops.
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live your Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff.
† Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come, Viva Cristo Rey! † St. Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, protect our families, protect our priests! † St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, King.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
In June, we resolve to make reparation to this Sacred Heart of our dear Saviour which loves so greatly and is so little loved today.
Throughout His Gospels, Our Lord stresses that we are our brothers’ keepers. That we love one another is His commandment. St. John in his epistles also emphasised that we are to love one another. But that love of others is scarcely to be seen these days, isn’t it? And yet, Our Lord commands us to take up our crosses, not only for our own salvation but that sinners be converted. The following Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is loosely based on Father Mateo’s much earlier one. Over the years, I have modified it and don’t believe Father Mateo would mind if you make it your own as well. His generosity of spirit propelled him to enormous sacrifices just to get people to consider for a moment, the love and mercy Our Lord stands so willing to pour forth for us. So take a moment if you will and consider…
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, animated with a desire to repair the outrages unceasingly offered to You, I kneel before Your throne of mercy and on behalf of my family and Church, pledge love and fidelity to You.
† The more Your mysteries are blasphemed, the more firmly I will believe them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus! † The more hearts despise and ignore Your love, the more I will love You, O loving Heart of Jesus! † The more that scientistic unbelief attacks Your Divinity, the more humbly and profoundly I shall adore You, O Divine Heart of Jesus! † The more Your sacraments are despised and blasphemed, the more frequently I will receive them with love and reverence, most generous Heart of Jesus! † The more Your holy laws are transgressed and ignored, the more I will take care to observe them, most holy Heart of Jesus! † The more that You are blasphemed and scorned in the Holy Eucharist, Your Sacrament of Love, the more ardently I will adore You, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! † The more the imitation of Your virtues is scorned and forgotten, the more I will endeavor to practice them, most obedient Heart of Jesus. † The more the devil strives to destroy souls, the more I will be inflamed to save them by penances and prayers to You, most zealous Lover of Souls! † The more sin and impurity deface and destroy Your divine image in man, the more I shall try by purity of life to be a living temple of the Holy Spirit, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! † The more Your Holy Church is scorned and compromised, the more I will endeavor to be her faithful child, Most Loving Heart of Jesus! † The more that hubris, heresy and apostasy threaten our Holy Church, the more I will turn to Your Sacred Heart and to the Immaculate Heart of Your Mother to save us, O Sacred Heart of Jesus! † The more Your Immaculate Mother is blasphemed, the more I will increase my fervent devotions to her, Most Devoted Heart of Jesus! † The more Your Church is persecuted, the more I will pray and sacrifice for for her triumph and exaltation, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
Let us pray: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, always obedient to the Eternal Father, teach us to be ever obedient and humble in the face of the diabolical disorientation that has sown such chaos in the Church and disheartened so many. Suffer us not to be scandalized by this long, dark night of the soul of our Church, but to persevere in loving obedience trusting always in Your Sacred Heart and in Mary’s Immaculate Heart. Amen.
And don’t forget the prayer of St. Michael the Archangel of Fatima:
“Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore Thee profoundly, and I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the same Son Jesus Christ present in the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the sacrileges, outrages, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. Through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.”
As the Angel of Fatima told Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, “Pray! Pray very much!”
by evensong with love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ our Lord and King,
“One day, on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, after Holy Communion, the Heart of Jesus was represented to me as on a throne, formed of fire and flames, shedding rays on every side and brighter than the sun. The wound which He received upon the Cross was clearly visible; a crown of thorns encircled the Sacred Heart, and it was surmounted by a cross.
The writings of Sister Josefa echo in many ways the writings of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and one can discern a hint of them in Sister Lucia’s writings as well. I strongly suspect that the true writings of Sister Lucia would bear even more resemblance to both of them were we to have access to them. This is because Our Lord Jesus Christ has been telling us in no uncertain terms, what is necessary to counter-act the spiritual terrorism of the arrogant pride prevailing in the world today.
“One day, on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, after having received from my Divine Saviour a favor similar to that bestowed upon the Beloved Disciple, of reposing on the bosom of Our Lord, the Divine Heart was represented to me on a throne of fire and flames, shedding on every side rays brighter than the sun and transparent as crystal. The Wound which He had received upon the Cross appeared there visibly; a crown of thorns encircled the adorable Heart, and It was surmounted by a cross. “These instruments of His Passion signified, as my Divine Master gave me to understand, that it was His unbounded love for man which had been the source of all His sufferings.
“Behold the Heart that has loved men so much that It has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify to them Its love. But in return I receive from the greater part of mankind only ingratitude, by reason of the contempt, irreverence, sacrilege and coldness shown Me in this Sacrament of Love. And what I feel still more painfully is that hearts consecrated to Me treat Me thus!”