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The Catholic Church dedicates the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This tradition dates back to the 17th century when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun, had visions of Jesus Christ revealing His Sacred Heart to her. This devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus became popular and spread throughout the Catholic Church.

In 1956, Pope Pius XII published the encyclical HAURIETIS AQUAS, On Devotion to the Sacred Heart. He writes:

The Heart of the Incarnate Word is deservedly and rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that threefold love with which the divine Redeemer unceasingly loves His eternal Father and all mankind.

It is a symbol of that divine love which He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit but which He, the Word made flesh, alone manifests through a weak and perishable body, since “in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

It is, besides, the symbol of that burning love which, infused into His soul, enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs its acts by the most perfect knowledge derived both from the beatific vision and that which is directly infused.

Pope Puis XII, Encyclical On Devotion to the Sacred Heart

The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents the love and compassion that Jesus has for humanity. The heart is a symbol of love and devotion, representing the very essence of Jesus Christ. The feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi, which falls on the third Sunday after Pentecost.

During the month of June, Catholics are encouraged to deepen their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through prayer, reflection, and acts of charity. One popular devotional practice is the daily recitation of the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This litany is a prayer of intercession that asks for the mercy, love, and protection of Jesus.

In addition to prayer, Catholics may also participate in the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart. This practice involves placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in the home, such as the living room or bedroom. The Enthronement is a way of inviting Jesus into the home and acknowledging His role as the head of the family.

We are celebrating the Sacred Heart of Jesus here at the Shrine, and we invite you to join us! We have a Eucharistic Miracles Display this June 7 – 14. We also invite you to Mass in the shrine for the Feast of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 11 at 8:30am.

You can learn more about the events and Masses at the Shrine by clicking here.

The month of June is also a time for Catholics to reflect on the teachings of Jesus and how they can apply them to their daily lives. Jesus taught us to love one another and to show compassion to those in need. Catholics are encouraged to perform acts of charity during the month of June, such as volunteering at a local soup kitchen or donating to a charity that helps the poor and marginalized.

In conclusion, the Catholic tradition of celebrating June as the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a way of deepening our devotion to Jesus Christ and reflecting on His teachings. Through prayer, reflection, and acts of charity, we can grow closer to Jesus and experience His love and compassion for humanity.