What does “June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” really mean?

“Behold this Heart which has so loved men that It has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love.” – St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a precious and beautiful devotion which the Catholic Church attaches to June. But in the secular world, June is dubbed “Pride Month.” All over the country, pride parades and LGBT support groups are held, drag is celebrated, and the sexual mutilation of children is encouraged. For this reason, Catholics and pride supporters war all throughout the month. 

It is now more important than ever to take back the month of June for Jesus. While Pride Month was instituted in 1970, June devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus dates back to 1856.

From the mouth of Jesus to Pope Pius IX: the history of the Sacred Heart devotion

In the 17th century, a humble French nun received powerful visions that would prompt a worldwide movement of devotion to the Heart of Jesus. 

Beginning in 1673, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary several times over the course of two years. He revealed His Sacred Heart to her, and through her to all of us, on fire with love for humanity. Jesus asked Margaret to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart with specific instructions on how to do so. 

After these revelations, the devotion spread until Pope Pius IX instituted the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1856. It always falls on the Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost. 

While St. Margaret’s visions were the most prominent factor leading to a worldwide devotion to the Sacred Heart, Catholics in the Early Church had venerated It even before that. 

Devotion in the stable and at table

Mary and Joseph were the first adorers of the Sacred Heart when they first felt their Son’s Heartbeat, probably while He was still in the womb. And on the night He was born in Bethlehem, they quietly beheld Him in infant form and adored His little Heart that beat in their arms. 

We find a written account of a form of Sacred heart devotion in the Gospels when, at the Last Supper, St. John rested his head on Jesus’ chest. A vision given to St. Gertrude in the late 1200s revealed to us that St. John was listening to Christ’s Heartbeat. 

In this vision, St. John invited Gertrude to stand at Jesus’ right side and rest her head over the wound in His side to hear his Heart, filling her with a strong sense of sweetness and joy. She asked the Gospel writer why he didn’t write more about his experience with the Heart of Jesus, to which he replied: 

“My mission was to write of the Eternal Word but the language of the blissful pulsations of the Sacred Heart is reserved for latter times, that the time-worn world, grown cold in the love of God, may be warmed up by hearing of such mysteries.”

Judging from these words, it seems likely that at the time of St. Margaret Mary’s visions, the world had indeed “grown cold.” 

Jesus’ 12 promises of the Sacred heart

When Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary, He promised 12 special privileges to those who honor His Sacred Heart. 

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will bless every home in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored.
4. I will console them in all their difficulties.
5. I will be their refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
6. I will shed abundant blessing upon all their undertakings.
7. Sinners shall find in My Heart a fountain and boundless ocean of mercy.
8. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
9. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the hardest hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart never to be blotted out.
12. I promise you, in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all who communicate on the First Friday of the month for nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My displeasure nor without their last Sacraments: “My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.”

Why devotion to the Sacred Heart still matters

The best reason we have for continuing devotion to the Sacred Heart is the fact that Jesus Himself requested it and promised us blessings we would be unwise to turn down.  

Beyond that, we adore the Heart of Jesus for several reasons: 

• In acknowledgement of Jesus’ limitless love that led Him to suffer for our salvation
• To offer God our own love, trust, and atonement 
• To unite ourselves to Christ’s redemptive suffering
• To gain spiritual strength and comfort in difficult times 

Ultimately, the goal of Sacred Heart devotion is to enter into a deeper relationship with God and to more fully experience His love and mercy. To know God, we must know His Heart. 

How to grow in devotion to the Sacred Heart

1. Put the Sacred Heart image up in your house. 
2. Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 
3. Make a Holy Hour. 
4. Start making the First Friday Devotion. 
5. Make an Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart on the feastday. 
6. Pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart. 

This June, remember Jesus’ 12 promises and don't let the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus pass you by uncelebrated. His Heart waits patiently for you to make a home there. 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.