Thy Kingdom Come!

Men’s Monthly Evening of Reflection

The Sacred Heart, Our Best Defense

June 3, 2020

SCHEDULE:

7:00 Directed Meditation 7:30 Questionnaire & private reflection 7:50 Conference 8:30 End

Meditation: Fr Peter Hopkins, LC

Gospel passage: (Luke 15:3-7) Jesus addressed this parable to the scribes and Pharisees: "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ´Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep. I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”

Practical Talk: Fr. Peter Hopkins, LC

Title: Sacred Heart of Jesus

Saint of the Month: St. Claude de la Colombière, S.J.

A Jesuit priest, St. Claude de la Colombière was the first to believe in the mystical revelations of the Sacred Heart given to St. Margaret Mary in Paray le Monial Convent, France. Thanks to his support, St. Margaret Mary’s superior also believed, and propagation of the devotion to the Sacred heart was started. St. Claude not only believed, but dedicated his life to propagate the devotion, always spiritually united to St. Margaret Mary and trusting her discernment. He was a holy and wise priest who knew how to discern well the authentic divine intervention in St. Margaret Mary’s soul. Even though at this time, many people, theologians and religious thought of her to be mad and despised her. In 1673, the young priest was named preacher of the Avignon School. His sermons, on which he worked intensely, were real models because of the solid doctrine and the beauty of the language. The saint seemed to have preached the same sermons in England. He preached in the chapel of the Duchess of York, Maria de Modena, who became Queen when Jacob II inherited the throne. She is responsible for the publication of these sermons. During his stay in Paris the saint studied Jansenism with all its half-truths and slander. He combated this heresy from the pulpit, animated by the love of the Sacred Heart and the greatest devotion against Jansenism. At the end of 1674, Father La Chaize, rector of the saint received the order from the general of the Company of Jesus to admit him to solemn profession after a month of “Spiritual Exercises.” He consecrated himself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The saint added to the solemn vows of profession the vow of absolute fidelity to the rules of the Company of Jesus down to the smallest details. According to his diary, he had lived for some time this perfect fidelity and wanted to consecrate his conduct under a vow in order to make it more lasting. At 33 years of age, the same age when Christ died, he was inspired with great desire to die completely to this world and to self. He wrote in his diary: “I believe, Lord, it is time for me to live in You, and only for You, at my age You died for me in particular.” Chosen by and for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Two months after his solemn profession in February 1675, Claude was named Superior of the Paray-le-Monial School. It was an exceptional honor to entrust the government of a house to a recently ordained priest; but on the other hand, the small community of Paray consisted of only 4 or 5 priests, an insignificant amount for the great gifts Claude had.

This was all a part of the designs of God so that he may contact a soul needing his help: Margaret Mary Alacoque. This religious was in a troubled period of her life with much suffering due to the extraordinary revelations given by the Sacred Heart of Jesus which became clearer and more intimate every day. Following the indications of her superior, Mother Saumaise, Margaret Mary had confided her experience to a learned priest who lacked knowledge on mysticism. The priest thought that Margaret Mary was a victim of the devil’s deception. This confused St. Margaret Mary even more. Moved by Margaret’s prayer, God sent her his faithful servant and perfect friend, Claude de la Colombière. Father La Colombière one day went to preach to the Visitation community. While he was speaking, Margaret wrote, “I heard in my heart these words: He is the one I sent you.” Since the “Father Claude showed me to appreciate God’s gifts and to receive them with faith and humility.” This was the great service of Father Claude de la Colombière to Margaret Mary. On the other hand, the saint worked tirelessly, promoting the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He saw in this devotion the greatest remedy against Jansenism. The saint did not spend much time in Paray. His following occupation was very different. By recommendation of Father La Chaize, who was confessor of Louis XIV, his superiors sent him to London as preacher to Maria Beatriz d’ Este, Duchess of York. The saint preached in England with his example and words. Love of the Sacred Heart was his favorite theme. The process of beatification spoke of his apostolate in England and the numerous Protestants he converted. The position of Catholics in this country was very difficult because of the hostility against them. A movement was formed in court to exclude the Duke of York from the succession to the crown because he converted to Catholicism. He was substituted by the Prince of Orange. The imprudence of Titus Oates and his followers invented a story about a “conspiracy of the Papists,” in which Father La Colombière was included with the rest of the Catholics. The conspiracy’s object, according to the slanderers, was to assassinate King Charles II and the destruction of the Church of England. Claude was accused of exercising his priestly ministry and of converting many Protestants. He was imprisoned, and by intervention of Louis XIV his life was prevented from martyrdom.

Father Claude arrived at Paray in April 1681, as recommended by the doctors, to recover his health. During this time there were communications between Father Claude and Sister Margaret Mary, sharing the ardor of their souls and apostolic projects in favor of the Sacred Heart. After giving a marvelous example of humility and patience, Claude de La Colombière gave his soul to God in the afternoon of February 15th, 1682. The following day, St. Margaret Mary received an announcement from heaven that Claude was already in the glory of God and did not need any prayers.

Father La Colombière was beatified in 1929 and Pope John Paul II declared him a saint in 1992. The Universal Church celebrates his feast day on February 15th.

Recommended Resources:

THE 12 PROMISES of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to St. Margaret Mary between 1673-1675. Among the words spoken to her, she heard Jesus make 12 promises to those who would respond to the pleading of His Heart and make an effort to return His love.

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their

state of life.

2. I will establish peace in their homes.

3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above

all, in death.

5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.

6. Sinners will find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.

9. I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and

honored.

10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My

Heart.

12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love

will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in

nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in

My disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall

be their safe refuge in this last moment.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus O Sacred Heart of Jesus, 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 upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen. — St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Prayer of Trust to the Sacred Heart (in Times of Stress)

Holy Heart of Jesus, Sweet Sanctuary of rest, bring peace to my soul and settle my spirit,

especially in the matter of_________________. I vow to place all of my worries and fears

into the wound of your Sacred Heart, there to be tended to in accordance with your perfect will,

which desires only the best and highest good. Your love alone is enough, and I surrender to it;

clinging to the hope of a swift resolution and trusting with confidence in all of your promises. Amen.

Quotes for the month:

In the Sacred Heart, every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is hidden. In that divine heart beats God’s infinite love for everyone and for each of us as individuals.”

– St. John Paul II (1920-2005), Homily for the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart during his Apostolic Voyage to Canada (1984)

As to persons living in the world, they shall find in this devotion all the aids necessary in their state of life: peace in their homes, consolation in their work, the blessing of heaven upon all their enterprises, comfort in their sorrows, a secure refuge during life and especially at the hours of death. It is plainly evident that there is no one in the world who will not receive all kinds of heavenly blessings if they have a true love of Jesus Christ manifested by a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

– St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

Do not let the past disturb you. Leave everything in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and begin again with joy.”

– St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

It is impossible to identify the Holy Eucharist too closely with Jesus Christ … the Holy Eucharist is the whole Christ with His human heart. According to St. Margaret Mary, the Sacred Heart is the Holy Eucharist. So it follows that devotion to the Sacred Heart is devotion to the Holy Eucharist. It is infinite Love Incarnate living in our midst in the Blessed Sacrament.”

– Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ (1914-2000), “The Sacred Heart is the Holy Eucharist”

Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most sacred heart. Many, indeed, have never known you, many too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your sacred heart. Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be you king of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd. Be you king also of all those who sit in the ancient superstition of the Gentiles, and refuse not you to deliver them out of darkness into the light and kingdom of God. Grant, O Lord, to your Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honour forever. Amen.”

– Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903, pope from 1878 until his death), Prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

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And since there is in the Sacred Heart a symbol and a sensible image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, therefore is it fit and proper that we should consecrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart – an act which is nothing else than an offering and a binding of oneself to Jesus Christ, seeing that whatever honour, veneration and love is given to this divine Heart is really and truly given to Christ Himself.”

– Pope Leo XIII, from the encyclical Annum Sacrum (1899).

Leo XIII also publicly consecrated humankind to the Sacred Heart.

Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception.

CCC 478

Questions for Reflection:

1. Read CCC 478, above. Why is the Sacred Heart of Jesus the chief sign and symbol his of love for the father and each of us?

2. Have I given practical expression to my devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in my Eucharistic devotion? What have I done to offset my separation from Christ in the Eucharist these past 2 months?

3. Have I asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to help me deepen my devotion to the Sacred Heart realizing that no one was closer to His Sacred Heart than she was?

4. Does seeing the Heart of Christ wounded by so many ingratitudes, insults and indifference move me to make reparation by offering Him my daily sacrifices, frustrations and acts of charity?

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