Honoring the Sacred Heart: A Devotion Rooted in Love

by Fr. John Granato  |  06/29/2025  |  Words from Fr. John

My Dear Friends,

This past Friday, June 27th, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This solemnity is always the Friday after the Corpus Christi (the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ), which is always after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. These days are all united in some way that focuses on the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, our Lord Jesus Christ. I did write some bulletin articles on Pope Francis’s encyclical on the Sacred Heart.

It is a beautiful devotion in our faith that goes back one thousand years, but as Pope Francis pointed out, there are remnants of this solemnity even in the fourth century. During Ordinary Time, I use the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart on Fridays, unless there is a saint on that particular date. I am also fond of the Sacred Heart chaplet and images and statues of the Sacred Heart.

We have in our church at Immaculate Conception and at Immaculate Heart of Mary statues of the Sacred Heart. As you see, in Immaculate Conception I have returned the Sacred Heart statue to the front of the church (side altar) in the sanctuary, balanced by our Blessed Mother on the other side altar. We will be getting new candle stands as well for people to light their candles. One parishioner has already donated one of the stands in honor of a deceased loved one. If there is another parishioner who would like to donate the other stand, please contact me for the price.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. God bless.