Q's about Sacred Heart Devotion

[Harsalter]

As a fairly new Catholic, I have some questions about the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion, mainly what does the “1st friday” entail? Does just attending Mass count?

I have attended Mass on First Friday of the month ever since I was confirmed a few months ago, but I only recently learned of the Sacred Heart devotion and recently started my daily consecration prayers.

Any info on this devotion, comments, etc would be appreciated. I am going to order the book, “The Devotion To The Sacred Heart of Jesus”, by Fr. John Croiset, S.J., but it is presently out of stock.

 

[Kristen]

I have some questions about the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion, mainly what does the “1st friday” entail? Does just attending Mass count?

I did an Internet search for a summary of the requirements of this devotion and was surprised to find nothing adequate, so here’s an excerpt on the requirements from my Scepter "Daily Roman Missal’ (which I trust and highly recommend):

To gain this grace [final perseverance and the joy of having Jesus’ heart as our sure refuge and infinite ocean of mercy in our last hour], we must:

– Receive holy Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays.

– Have the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of reaching final perseverance.

– Offer each holy Communion as an act of atonement for offenses against the Blessed Sacrament.

So, it would appear that “just attending Mass” is not sufficient; the proper intentions must be present.

I recently completed my nine first Fridays and I think this is a beautiful devotion, as are any devotions to Our Lord’s Sacred Heart. May God bless you and welcome home to His Church!

Kristen

 

[Genesis315]

That is a very beautiful devotion. The grace of final perseverance is the greatest gift–St. Alphonsus Liguori says we should pray for it everyday. --but just remember, we still have to respond to that grace–if we choose to resist it, we will not persevere.

 

[quiet52]

This is a popular devotion and my favorite private devotion! I ache that this isn’t more popular in the U.S.

The feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a solemn one, during which we remember that Jesus has loved us with a divine heart and a human heart. It is celebrated on the second Friday after the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus (sometimes called “Corpus Christi Sunday”).

Although devotion to Jesus’ Sacred Heart was practiced in the early Church, it was re-popularized in the 17th century by a humble French nun named Margaret Mary Alacoque, who has been canonized. This was during a time when Protestantism and various heresies were attacking the Church and her teachings. Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary, and she heard His voice. He told her to warn others not to be indifferent to their faith and to worship His Sacred Heart. She claimed to have seen a vision of Jesus’ human heart, encircled by a crown of thorns, beams of light radiating from it, flames and a cross atop it, pierced in the side and bleeding. We’re reminded that Jesus loved us so profoundly that He suffered and died for us. Pope Pius XII said that because Jesus’ heart was pierced by our sins and for our salvation, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is “quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that … love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves…” without exception.

A popular song in praise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is “Jesus’ Heart All Burning.”

I’ll post some Internet links which help explain. We’re not bound as Catholics to believe this apparition to St. Margaret Mary actually happened, but the messages have been found by the Church to be consistent with the Church’s teachings.

wf-f.org/Directory-SHeart.html
wf-f.org/SacredHeart.html
landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/feast_of_the_sacred_heart.htm
catholic-forum.com/saints/saints01.htm
2heartsnetwork.org/SacredHeart.htm
ewtn.com/library/MARY/MARGMARY.htm

*There are three essential elements of the devotion:

1. We must first offer a generous return of love to Jesus by MAKING WHOLEHEARTED ACTS OF LOVE TO HIM.
2. We remember that because of the pull of sin, it can be easier to be indifferent to God than to be aware of Him and to love Him. The world has responded to the love of God with such indifference and cruelty that it is important to BEG PARDON FOR HUMANITY’S REJECTION OF THE LORD.
3. By frequent PRAYER AND ACTS OF PENANCE AND CHARITY, we can help atone for the harm done by our sins and by all people against God’s love.*

 

[Ricardothere]

It certainly is a great devotion.

I always have a picture of the Sacred Heart in a prominant place in my home. I sometimes bow and make a sign of the cross in front of the picture. I take a minute to tell Jesus He is not forgotten and He is loved.

I have recently added a picture of the Divine Mercy. Its a more modern devotion. Jesus wants us to obtain graces by way of the Image.However, I will never give up the devotion to the Sacred Heart… I feel these 2 devotions compliment each other.

There are many good links listed above. I hope you enjoy learning more about the devotion and join those of us who honor and worship the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

JMJ
Ricardo

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Keep in mind that it is a devotion(receiving 9 first Fridays), not a magic ticket into heaven.

A fellow I knew was making his nine first Fridays with the idea that it was an automatic ticket into heaven. He even pressured family members to make their nine first Fridays, even though they had no clue what it was about, and in actuality, neither did he.

When he missed one of his first Fridays, because Good Friday that year was a first Friday, and his parish didn’t offer communion, he was bent out of shape thinking he was doomed.

It took a lot of work to get him to actually read what the devotion was about, and what was really involved.

In other words, don’t put the devotion on par with superstition.

Jim

 

[Harsalter]

In other words, don’t put the devotion on par with superstition.

Jim

Devotion equals being devoted, not turning the car around because a black cat passed your path.

In any devotion or holy act, one gets grace, not a free ticket. If I believed in a “once saved, always saved” free ride ticket, I would still be a baptist.

 

[littleone]

Keep in mind that it is a devotion(receiving 9 first Fridays), not a magic ticket into heaven.

A fellow I knew was making his nine first Fridays with the idea that it was an automatic ticket into heaven. He even pressured family members to make their nine first Fridays, even though they had no clue what it was about, and in actuality, neither did he.

When he missed one of his first Fridays, because Good Friday that year was a first Friday, and his parish didn’t offer communion, he was bent out of shape thinking he was doomed.

It took a lot of work to get him to actually read what the devotion was about, and what was really involved.

In other words, don’t put the devotion on par with superstition.

Jim

I wonder how many Catholics live with this expectation on their mind and in their intentions, thinking that they can actually pay their way into heaven by saying a set of prayers? I wonder, if it is right that a set of prayers can get me into heaven then why would I have to do good works have much faith in God at all?

At one time in my life I used to say many novenias year after year. I love them and at one time saw a novena in the Pieta book that took 365 days and about 4 hours per day to say. When I read the promises I thought that I had nothing to lose by saying it and that if it would help my children, others in the family, then it is worth it ( my job allowed it).
After saying it I had a situation where my big sister had a bad temptation which she told me about so I asked Jesus why I was not having temptations that bad was I already in satins grasp? He told me to read the 12th promis which promised that i would be held away from those happenings. Well that showed me that novenas when said with the right intentions are held dear to Jesus heart. I then realised the wealth of them and said the novena again and asked Jesus if this could be for those I worked with . so novenas do work BUT they are NOT a ticket to eternal life with God if we are not in a state of grace not with the right intentions we may be left floundering.

You can buy a ticket to the pictures, you can buy a ticket for food but you cant buy a ticket to spiritual life that alone is govered by God who is the king of the spiritual Heaven we all wish to end up in.

God bless
littleone

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Devotion equals being devoted, not turning the car around because a black cat passed your path.

In any devotion or holy act, one gets grace, not a free ticket. If I believed in a “once saved, always saved” free ride ticket, I would still be a baptist.

It would be a sin of presumption to believe that because I made nine first Fridays, I’m saved, despite living an uncharitable and unrepentant life.

Jim

 

[Kristen]

It would be a sin of presumption to believe that because I made nine first Fridays, I’m saved, despite living an uncharitable and unrepentant life.

Jim

I’m sad to see that this rather innocent and beautiful thread inquiring about how to observe the First Fridays has taken a turn to discussing how those of us who make use of such devotions as the Sacred Heart may somehow be trying to punch “free tickets” to Heaven, etc. The OP never indicated that he was looking to do such a thing, nor did those of us who responded in support of him. We simply seek to honor Our Lord and His love for us, and to make some reparation to Him for those who disregard Him. In His generosity, He grants us graces in response; whether we choose to use them or not is our choice, as it is for all who receive His graces. He respects our free will.

Perhaps some folks have had flawed intentions in making such devotions, but those I have known who make these devotions are some of the most devout and kind people you’ll ever meet – they are the rule, not the exceptions.

I think this tangent is indicative of a sorry trend among many in the Church to relegate the “old devotions” to the trash as being mumbo-jumbo; the Church Herself – wisely – does not do this, but still encourages, through special parish observations, the devout use of indulgences, etc., traditional practices of piety. Let us try to receive these great gifts with appreciation and not suspicion!

BTW, I will turn 30 later this year, so I am not exactly an old-timer clinging to the past, though I can’t help but call to mind my Nanna (with Our Lord since 1999, may she rest in peace), who was a simple housewife and mother, full of love and piety, and devoted to the Faith. My hope is that I can be the kind of homemaker and mother she was, and I would be wise to follow her example of Faith.

Kristen

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Kristen
I only cautioned people because it is too common for people to in fact turn devotional acts into something other than what it is intended to be.

This has been a problem that has been talked about within the Catholic Church for all of my life.

Too often, people treat God like a vending machine. X number of prayers said, delivers a specified reward.

I have had a devotion to the Sacred Heart for years. Its more than making 9 first Fridays and having picture of the Sacred Heart in your home. Rather, its the transformation of your entire being, towards union with Christ. It is being Christ in the world.

Sorry that my post upset you.

Peace
Jim

 

[nkelly]

I am going to order the book, “The Devotion To The Sacred Heart of Jesus”, by Fr. John Croiset, S.J., but it is presently out of stock.

Hello Harsalter, make sure you get that book. It’s excellent. It’s got lots of meditations on how much Jesus loves us and how little we return His love. It has lots of great prayers too.

God bless,
Noel.