When Christ appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to reveal the beauty of His Sacred Heart, He asked for something specifically: a feast dedicated to His Sacred Heart, to be celebrated on the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi.
The feast was granted to France and some other localities in the 1760s. Then, in 1856, Pope Pius IX established it as a universal feast, setting it on the Friday after the Corpus Christi octave, as Jesus had requested. The placement of the feast underscored the deep connection between the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart and highlighted the immeasurable love of Jesus manifested in the Sacrament.
Pope Pius IX’s actions were crucial in spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart throughout the Catholic world.
In the two centuries between Christ’s request and Pope Pius IX’s decree, devotion to Christ’s Sacred Heart had spread significantly. However, without a universal feast, many of the faithful went without knowing that Christ deeply desired to bring the love of His Sacred Heart into their lives. By officially establishing the Feast of the Sacred Heart for the whole Church, Pope Pius IX ensured that the faithful would have a dedicated time each year to reflect on and celebrate the infinite love and mercy of Jesus.
How beautiful it is that we get to live during a time when the Church honors the Sacred Heart not only through the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart but also through the dedication of the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
As we approach the month of the Sacred Heart, bring this devotion into your own life through this stunning Gold Over Sterling Sacred Heart Jeweled Necklace! A wonderful gift for anyone devoted to the Sacred Heart, and a unique and special piece for your Catholic jewelry collection. Order yours today from The Catholic Company!
