I used to call today’s feast “Jesus Loves Me Day,” and I would celebrate with a cinnamon latte or an extra dessert after dinner. In truth, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart is an occasion for much joy yes, but also a call to conversion and a reminder to mourn the sufferings of our Beloved Lord.

Although devotion to the Sacred Heart dates back to the 11th century, Jesus’ apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century led to the popularity and understanding our Church has today. St. Margaret wrote in her autobiography of these visions:

“My Divine Master revealed to me that it was His ardent desire to be known, loved, and honored by men, and His eager desire to draw them back from the road to perdition, along which Satan is driving them in countless numbers, that induced Him to manifest His Heart to men with all the treasures of love, mercy, grace, sanctification, and salvation that It contains.”

Already in these words we see the paradox of the Sacred Heart in play.

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The Paradox of Jesus’ Heart, Broken and Burning - AD Today

I used to call today’s feast “Jesus Loves Me Day,” and I would celebrate with a cinnamon latte or an extra dessert after dinner. In truth, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart is an occasion for much joy yes, but … Continue reading