Category Archives: Sacred Heart Friday

Pope St. John XXIII and the Precious Blood

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On this latest Sacred Heart Friday post, I delve into Pope St. John XXIII and his promotion of the Precious Blood Devotion.

 

In 1960, he wrote the apostolic letter Inde a Primis, encouraging devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus. In it he describes the devotion over the centuries including some personal accounts of how important this devotion was to him as a child and later in life. In that same year, the Holy Father added the invocation to the Precious Blood to the Divine Praises:

Blessed be God.

Blessed be his holy Name.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.

Blessed be the name of Jesus.

Blessed be his most Sacred Heart.

Blessed be his most Precious Blood.

Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.

Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.

Blessed be her glorious Assumption.

Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.

Blessed be St Joseph, her spouse most chaste.

Blessed be God in his Angels and in his Saints.

 

This wasn’t enough for Good Pope John. The Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ was drawn up by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and promulgated by Pope John XXIII on February 24, 1960. The  devotion to Jesus in His most Precious Blood was first popularized by St. Gaspar del Bufalo who founded the Missioners of the Most Precious Blood. St. Gaspar del Bufalo was hailed by Pope John XXIII as “the world’s greatest apostle of the devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.”

 

Here is the Litany:

 

Lord, have mercy.    Lord, have mercy. 
Christ, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy. 
Lord, have mercy.    Lord, have mercy. 

Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. 
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. 

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. 
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us. 
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word or God, save us. 
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us. 

Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Agony, save us. 
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us. 
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us. 

Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us. 
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us. 
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us. 

Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us. 
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us. 
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us. 

Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us. 
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors, save us. 
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins, save us. 

Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us. 
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us. 
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us. 

Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us. 
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us. 
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us.


Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us. 
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, save us. 
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us. 

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. 
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. 
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord. 

V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood. 
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom. 

Let us pray; 

Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven.

 
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 

That’s it for this week’s Sacred Heart Friday; next week I’ll come up with something else, perhaps a bit on St. Gaspar del Bufalo and his work.

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The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 6

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It’s been a while since I did one of these on the union of there Two Hearts, and on this Sacred Heart Friday I will revisit the last post in the series: The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 5. In particular, this passage:

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary began when Jesus dwelt within the womb of Mary. Like all children when they are living within their Momma’s womb, He shared the body of Mary and thus she became the tabernacle for the Ark of the New Covenant that is Him.

Mary’s Immaculate Heart pumped the Precious Blood that flowed through His veins and arteries; she powered His Sacred Heart.

July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. This post clearly identifies that Mary is the source of His Precious Blood; inasmuch as He did not have a biological human father, all of His genetic material comes from Our Lady. 

Now, take a look at this earlier post: Three Drops of Blood: The Creation of the Sacred Heart. In this one I mention an approved private revelation to Ven. Maria de Jesus de Agreda as recorded in the epic biography of the Blessed Virgin Mary “The Mystical City of God.”

Three drops of blood from Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart gathered and deposited in her sacred womb. From this, Jesus drew His genetic material and His Sacred Humanity. 

The issuing of the blood from her heart symbolized her Sorrowful Heart, which was to suffer much as prophesied by Simeon. So, there in a connection between her Sorrowful Heart and His Sacred Heart. 

An image of the relevant page from “The Mystical City of God:”

Three Drops of Blood Passage

From these three drops of blood from Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart came the body of Our Lord; and obviously the Precious Blood which pumped through His veins and arteries and which was spilled for out redemption of the first Good Friday. 

So, Our Lady is the source and origin of His Most Precious Blood. Devotion to the Precious Blood is simultaneously a devotion to Our Lady. The two are united; for Catholics, where Jesus is, Mary is nearby. If you are practicing a devotion to Mary, you will ultimately be taken to Jesus.

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Devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ

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Hearts pump blood. The blood that the Sacred Heart pumps must therefore be…precious? Welcome to this week’s Sacred Heart Friday and today I’ll talk a little about the Precious Blood of Jesus. Why? Because it’s July and this month is dedicated to the Precious Blood!

The Devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ is an old one. It is said to have dated to the Circumcision of Our Lord, when according to approved private revelations, Mary collected the blood Jesus had spilled.
One moving scene in Mel Gibson’s epic film, “The Passion of the Christ” depicted Mary and Mary Magdalene taking rags and cleaning up Jesus’ blood after His scourging at the pillar. It gained greater attention in the 16th Century in Spain and shortly afterwards in Italy. The Feast of the Most Precious Blood was July 2nd, but it was removed from the Roman liturgical calendar in 1970. Nowadays, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi is referred to as the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, so it was essentially combined into that.

The Blood of Christ is ‘precious’ because it is Jesus’ offered His own blood to pay for the redemption of humanity. Jesus shed His very blood for the sake of all humanity, atoning for humanity’s sins. The devotion to the Most Precious Blood is yet another one dedicate  to repentance and reparation, much like the Holy Face devotion, the Sacred Heart and the Fatima Message.

The Precious Blood is the symbol of God’s mercy, as it was spilled to pay for our sins. It is part of the Eucharist (whether you partake of the wine at Mass or not, its redemptive and spiritual significance is in the Bread as well). Here’s a good meditative practice: imagine yourself swimming in the blood-red sea of God’s mercy. I got that imagery from reading Divine Mercy in My Soul, the spiritual journal of St. Faustina Kowalska.

I’ll post more in the coming Fridays about the Precious Blood. 

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So ends the month dedicated to…

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Today is the last day of June and as such so ends the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On this Sacred Heart Friday I would remind you that the Sacred Heart Devotion is a perpetual thing; while June provides a focus and a reminder or renewal for those not too attached to it, the Sacred Heart Devotion is the essence of Catholicism. 

  • It is devotional in nature, which means that it is a practice which requires some dedication.
  • It is Scriptural and doctrinal (John the Evangelist laying his head on the breast of Jesus at the Last Supper; the devotion encapsulating Christ’s love for us and our response to that love – which naturally includes a work of reparation.
  • It is Sacramental – devotion to His Sacred Heart is devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. You can add Confession to that.
  • It is mystical. Much of it relies on approved private revelation.
  • It fuels other devotions. Once you get into the devotion, you are naturally attracted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and consequentially, the Rosary. If you already had a devotion to the Rosary, it becomes stronger. Perhaps you ‘graduate’ to saying the entire Rosary instead of just the single set of Mysteries for the day.

Tomorrow starts July which is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. I think I’ll try and write a few posts on that over the month.

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Sacred Heart Resources

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Hot off of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus last Friday is today’s Sacred Heart Friday post on resources to enrich your knowledge of the Sacred Heart! I just used ‘Sacred Heart’ three times in one sentence! That may not happen all that often, anywhere.

The following are links and an incomplete bibliography on the Sacred Heart. Many of these resources come from Anne Costa, of Revive Hope and Healing Ministries, who has written two wonderful books on the (you know what) that I reviewed right here:  “A review of two books on the Sacred Heart.”

Online resources:

Books:

(I’m not providing links as to where you can buy them, that is up to you to do a search. Chances are, EWTN, TAN,  Marytown, or Academy of the Immaculate will have them, otherwise search wherever you shop online for books (or visit your local Catholic bookstore if you are blessed to have one! If they don’t have any of these, they can order them for you.)

This list is obviously incomplete; given the popularity of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, I cannot list every book. The ones that made it to the list are there because I either have a copy, it was on an Anne Costa bibliography, or I heard about it from somewhere else. Anything listed after “TO SLAKE A THIRST” are here by reputation (I do not have the book and cannot vouch for it but it looks good. Especially if Liguori and Eudes wrote it. 😉 ) If I missed any obvious ones, email me or post them in the comments.)

  • The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: How to Practice the Sacred Heart Devotion by Fr. John Croiset 
  • Healing Promises: The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart by Anne Costa
  • A Little Book of Reparation First Friday Devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Anne Costa
  • The Autobiography of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
  • The Letters of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: Apostle of the Sacred Heart
  • Love, Peace and Joy: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus According to Saint Gertrude: Thirty Chapters for a Month Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Very Reverend Andre Prevot
  • Seemingly Impossible… BUT TRUE! the Nine First Fridays by Father Gnarocas
  • The Imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Rev. Fr. Peter J. Arnoudt S.J.
  • The Sacred Heart and the Priesthood by Louise Margaret Claret de la Touche
  • Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Soul Assurance
  • Updated Devotion to the Sacred Heart by Rev. Walter Kern
  • Devotion to the Sacred Heart by Mary Frances Lester
  • Sacred Heart Prayer Book by Brother James, SDB
  • TO SLAKE A THIRST: The Matt Talbot Way to Sobriety by Philip Maynard (NOTE: this is on using the devotion to the Sacred Heart as a way to achieve sobriety.)
  • Novena Meditations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (A Catholic Devotion) by Saint Alphonsus Liguori and Rev. Thomas Santa C.Ss.R.
  • The Sacred Heart of Jesus Paperback by Saint John Eudes 
  • Behold This Heart: St. Francis de Sales and Devotion to the Sacred Heart by Fr. Thomas Dailey OSFS 
  • Entrustment to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Through St. Dymphna;: A Nine Day Preparation with the Patron Saint of the Emotionally and Mentally Disturbed by Richard Dole

Well, there you have it! An as comprehensive as I can Paulcoholicly make it. Have fun!

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Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Ordinary Mass Readings to Ponder the Mystery of His Love

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Earlier on this Sacred Heart Friday, I posted the Mass Propers for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus from the Traditional Latin Mass. This post has the readings from this year’s Ordinary Rite. Again, meditating on these should provide spiritual insight into the mystery of the Sacred Heart.

 

First Reading (Deuteronomy 7:6-11)

Moses said to the people:

“You are a people sacred to the LORD, your God;

he has chosen you from all the nations on the face of the earth

to be a people peculiarly his own.

It was not because you are the largest of all nations

that the LORD set his heart on you and chose you,

for you are really the smallest of all nations.

It was because the LORD loved you

and because of his fidelity to the oath he had sworn your fathers,

that he brought you out with his strong hand

from the place of slavery,

and ransomed you from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

Understand, then, that the LORD, your God, is God indeed,

the faithful God who keeps his merciful covenant

down to the thousandth generation

toward those who love him and keep his commandments,

but who repays with destruction a person who hates him;

he does not dally with such a one,

but makes them personally pay for it.

You shall therefore carefully observe the commandments,

the statutes and the decrees that I enjoin on you today.”

 

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10)

 

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and forget not all his benefits.

 

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

 

He pardons all your iniquities,

heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction,

crowns you with kindness and compassion.

 

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

 

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,

slow to anger and abounding in kindness.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us,

nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

 

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

 

Second Reading (1 John 4:7-16)

 

Beloved, let us love one another,

because love is of God;

everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

In this way the love of God was revealed to us:

God sent his only Son into the world

so that we might have life through him.

In this is love:

not that we have loved God, but that he loved us

and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us,

we also must love one another.

No one has ever seen God.

Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,

and his love is brought to perfection in us.

 

This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,

that he has given us of his Spirit.

Moreover, we have seen and testify

that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.

Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,

God remains in him and he in God.

We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.

 

God is love, and whoever remains in love

remains in God and God in him.

 

Alleluia (Mt 11:29)

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord;

and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel (Matthew 11:25-30)

 

At that time Jesus exclaimed:

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to little ones.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 

No one knows the Son except the Father,

and no one knows the Father except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am meek and humble of heart;

and you will find rest for yourselves. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Source: EWTN

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Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Latin Mass Readings to Draw from the Sacred Wellspring

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One of the ways to gain a significant insight into a saint or feast day is to meditate on the Mass Readings for that day. So, on this Sacred Heart Friday, I will offer two posts featuring these. First up are the readings for the Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, using the Propers from the Extraordinary Form. Next post will have the Ordinary Rite Readings.

I will let them speak for themselves and you might want to petition the Holy Spirit for the wisdom and understanding to gain from these readings.

Introit (Psalms 32: 11, 19)

O God, who in the Heart of Thy Son,
wounded by our sins, dost mercifully
vouchsafe to bestow upon us the
boundless treasures of Thy love:
grant, we beseech Thee, that we who
now render Him the service of our
devotion and piety, may also fulfill our
duty of worthy satisfaction. Through
the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our
Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
forever and ever.

Collect

O God, who in the Heart of Thy Son,
wounded by our sins, dost mercifully
vouchsafe to bestow upon us the
boundless treasures of Thy love:
grant, we beseech Thee, that we who
now render Him the service of our
devotion and piety, may also fulfill our
duty of worthy satisfaction. Through
the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our
Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
forever and ever.

Epistle (Ephesians 3: 8-19)

Brethren, To me, the least of all the
Saints, is given this grace, to preach
among the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ: and to enlighten all
men, that they may see what is the
dispensation of the mystery which
hath been hidden from eternity in God,
who created all things: that the
manifold wisdom of God may be made
known to the principalities and powers
in heavenly places through the
Church, according to the eternal
purpose which He made in Christ
Jesus our Lord: in whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. For this cause I
bow my knees to the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all
paternity in heaven and earth is
named, that He would grant you
according to the riches of His glory, to
be strengthened by His Spirit with
might unto the inward man, that Christ
may dwell by faith in your hearts: that,
being rooted and grounded in charity,
you may be able to comprehend with
all the Saints, what is the breadth and
length, and height and depth: to know
also the charity of Christ which
surpasseth all knowledge, that you
may be filled unto all the fullness of
God.

Gradual (Psalms 24: 8-9)

The Lord is sweet and righteous:
therefore He will give a law to sinners
in the way. He will guide the mild in
judgment: He will teach the meek His
ways.

Lesser Alleluia (Matthew 11: 29)

Alleluia, alleluia. Take my yoke upon
you and learn from Me, because I am
meek and humble of Heart: and you
shall find rest to your souls. Alleluia.

Gospel (John 19: 31-37)

At that time: The Jews (because it was
the Parasceve), that the bodies might
not remain upon the cross on the
Sabbath day (for that was a great
Sabbath day) besought Pilate that
their legs might be broken, and that
they might be taken away. The
soldiers therefore came: and they
broke the legs of the first, and of the
other that was crucified with Him. But
after they were come to Jesus, when
they saw that He was already dead
they did not break His legs. But one
of the soldiers with a spear opened
His side, and immediately there came
out blood and water. And he that saw
it hath given testimony: and his testimony is true. And he knoweth
that he saith true, that you may
believe. For these things were done
that the Scripture might be fulfilled:
You shall not break a bone of Him.
And again another Scripture saith:
They shall look on Him whom they
pierced.

Offertory (Psalms 68: 21)

My Heart hath expected reproach and
misery; and I looked for one that
would grieve together with me, but
there was none: and for one that
would comfort me, and I found none.

Secret

Have regard, we beseech Thee, O
Lord, to the inexpressible love of the
Heart of Thy beloved Son: so that
what we offer may be a gift acceptable
to Thee, and an expiation for our
offenses. Through the same Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who lives
and reigns with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Preface of the Sacred Heart

It is truly meet and just, right and for
our salvation, that we should at all
times and in all places give thanks to
Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty,
eternal God: Whose will it was that
Thine only-begotten Son, while
hanging on the Cross, should be
pierced by the soldier’s lance: that the
Heart thus opened should, as from a
well of divine bounty, pour over us
streams of mercy and of grace: and
that the Heart which never ceased to
burn with love for us, should be for the
devout a haven of rest and for the
penitent an open refuge of salvation.
And therefore with Angels and
Archangels, with Thrones and
Dominations, and with all the hosts of
the heavenly army, we sing a hymn
to Thy glory, evermore saying:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Communion Prayer (John 19: 34)

One of the soldiers with a spear
opened His side, and immediately
there came out blood and water.

Postcommunion Prayer

May Thy holy Mysteries, O Lord
Jesus, impart to us divine fervor:
wherein we may taste the sweetness
of Thy most loving Heart, and learn to
despise what is earthly and love what
is heavenly: Who lives and reigns
with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Source: The Latin Mass Helper

I hope this was all beneficial to you. Really study these readings and gain some insight into what the Sacred Heart really signifies.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

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The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 5

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It’s Sacred Heart Friday time and this week I’m getting all mystical.

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary began when Jesus dwelt within the womb of Mary. Like all children when they are living within their Momma’s womb, He shared the body of Mary and thus she became the tabernacle for the Ark of the New Covenant that is Him.

Mary’s Immaculate Heart pumped the Precious Blood that flowed through His veins and arteries; she powered His Sacred Heart.

This union of the Two Hearts was far more intimate than any other. We all have heard of stories about pregnant women and how they marvel at the the movements of their unborn child; the kicks and wriggles and so forth. How much greater this must have been for Mary and Jesus. Mystical writings and approved private revelations tell that Jesus was fully aware from His conception in the womb. How? Unknown, but given that He is God and therefore would never have lost His Omniscience regardless of His form, He was fully in possession of His faculties. Some of the revelations also tell us that Jesus and Mary were in close communion with each other throughout her pregnancy. This makes sense. Jesus would obviously obey the Commandment to “Honor thy Father and thy Mother,” given His proximity to Mary while in her womb, it seems obvious that He would honor her in a way impossible for anyone else to do for their mother. He is God, omniscient, and in His mother’s womb. How do you think He would honor her? What feelings of love would He bestow upon Mary? What graces and blessings winkled He petition the Father to give her? 

Love returns love; what would Mary do for Him in return? She, who ‘kept all these things in her heart and pondered them’ could only return His love for her in kind. Mary, the daughter of God the Father, mother of God the Son, and Spouse of God the Holy Spirit….. what feelings of love and awe and wonder could she have given Him? 

It renders our attempts at worship and adoration paltry by comparison. This makes it reasonable for us to honor the recommendation of many saints, especially St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Louis de Montfort and others, to ‘go to Jesus through Mary.’ She can take our feeble and pathetic attempt to worship and adore Him and unite it to her own since her Heart is still united to His. 

The Union, or Alliance, of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary makes sense of all this. We can go directly to Jesus without Mary, but why would you in light of the above? There is much to ponder here; you cannot do it justice by rejecting ‘to Jesus through Mary’ out of hand when you realize the possibilities of their history together and the obvious truths entailed. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 4

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For this Sacred Heart Friday I will relate another way the Two Heart of Jesus and Mary are allied.

They are allied at the Foot off the Cross.

Luke 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.

 And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

John 19:25-27 And standing beside the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, and Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

 Therefore, when Jesus had seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.”

 Next, he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” And from that hour, the disciple accepted her as his own.

John 19:34 Instead, one of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and immediately there went out blood and water.

Source: Sacred Bible: Catholic Public Domain Version

 

Screenshot 2023 06 01 at 1 15 47 PM

Source: Diary of St. Faustina

Simeon prophesied that Mary’s heart will be piece by a sword; and she witnessed the emotional sword of seeing her Son on the Cross, tortured and dying. It must have been a final indignity to see Him pierced with a lance. What more could they do to Him? At that moment, the sacraments of mercy were made manifest as the blood and water represent Baptism and the Eucharist. 

There is a lot to meditate on in this post. If you’re doing First Saturday tomorrow, perhaps you can dwell on the sorrowful mysteries, keeping in mind Mary at the foot off the Cross, her heart pierced…

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 3

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For this Sacred Heart Friday post, I’m going to set aside what I had originally written for Part 3; mainly because I don’t like what I’ve got. So, I’m taking this opportunity to remind everyone of certain upcoming feasts that relate to both the Sacred Heart and the Heart of Mary. 

Aside from the Solemnity of Pentecost this Sunday (this birthday of the Church!) we have this Monday the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. This is a new feast day, instituted by Pope Frances just a few years ago. I like it! Any increase in liturgical observances to Mary is all right with me! Mary IS the Mother of the Church; her heart nurtured it in the Church’s early years, after Christ’s Ascension and Mary’s own Assumption. She knew that the Church was the creation her Son, and just as His Sacred Heart beats in the Sacraments, her Immaculate Heart lovingly guided and taught the Apostles and disciples just like she taught Him during His first 30 years. 

This an example of how the Two Hearts operate. They work in tandem for the salvation of souls. Christ’s love for humanity leaves behind the Church to instruct the faithful until He returns; Mary’s love for us helps build up the Church.

Another day coming up is the  Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Right after the Annunciation Mary made haste and went to the hill country of Judea and visited her cousin Elizabeth who was with child. Carrying St. John the Baptist in her womb, Elizabeth was the first human to acknowledge Mary’s Divine Maternity when she greeted her. Not only that, but the unborn child in the womb  also acknowledged the existence of another unborn child, Jesus. St. John the Baptist, upon hearing Mary’s voice and the referencing to the Lord, leapt in Elizabeth’s wombs as he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Another example of how the Two Hearts operate: Mary’s love for her cousin sends her off on a journey and the beating of the Sacred Heart in her womb signals to the Baptist. 

And that’s it for May. June begins next Thursday and that month is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus! I hope to finish up this series on he Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary as well as come up with some really great stuff. I may even post multiple Sacred Heart Fridays!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)