Sacred Heart of Jesus, I Believe in Your Love for Me

If you would live entirely for Him, and reach the perfection which He desires of you, you must sacrifice yourself unreservedly with all that depends on you.  You must no longer will anything but by the will of this loving Heart, and no longer love anything but by Its affections.  You must act only by Its light; never undertake anything without first asking for Its counsel and help; give It all the glory thereof; return It thanks, both for failure and for success in your undertakings, and without worrying be equally satisfied with all; for, provided that this divine Heart is pleased, loved and glorified, nothing else matters.

Saint Margaret Mary

Life and Writings, II

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God is Stronger!

The Church, defined in Vatican Council II as the People of God, was the topic of Pope Francis' catechesis during the 12 June 2013 General Audience. His Holiness explained the concept of the People of God through a series of questions: “What does it mean to be the People of God? How does one become a member of this people? What is its law, its mission, and its goal?”

Our Holy Father said, “We must ask the Lord to help us understand this law of love. How beautiful it is to love one another as true brothers and sisters. Let's do this today. Maybe we all have the people we like and [those we] dislike. Perhaps many of us are a little upset with someone. So let's say to the Lord: 'Lord, I am angry with this person or that one. I will pray to you for him and for her.' Praying for those we are angry with is a good step in this law of love. Shall we do it? Let's do it today!”

“This people's mission,” the Pope said, “is to bring God's hope and salvation to the world: to be a sign of the love of God who calls all to friendship with him … It is enough to open a newspaper to see that the presence of evil is around us, that the Devil is at work. But I want to say out loud: God is stronger! … Let's all say it together … God is stronger! And I want to add that reality, which at times is dark and marked by evil, can change if we first bring to it the light of the Gospel, above all with our lives. If, in a stadium … on a dark night, one person lights a light, it can barely be seen. But, if over 70,000 spectators each light their own light, then the stadium lights up. Let us make our lives the light of Christ. Together we will bring the light of the Gospel to all of reality.”

For the complete text, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-we-are-all-invited-to-be-members-of-the-peopl

http://www.news.va/en/news/general-audience-the-church-the-people-of-god-shou

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Each and every day the Lord gives us countless opportunities to live our baptismal call as the “People of God,” the Church.  Some of the possibilities presented to us are easier to carry out than others.  Many of you have very generously been praying for my mother and all of my family as she deals with increasing complications to a speedy recovery from surgery.  Your great faith and love, I believe, makes this prayer an “easy” task for you; and my family is grateful for your kindness. 

 

Pope Francis calls our attention to times when it is not so easy to pray for another, especially someone who may have caused us pain or with whom we are not at peace.  This can be a real challenge (from my own personal experience)!  But we need to try to do what the Lord asks of us—to pray for those who have hurt us—because the love of God is stronger than any evil we experience.

Let’s prayerfully encourage each other to be a sign of God’s love, especially when it is not easy by human standards.  How many of us can shine with the light of Christ in order to set the world ablaze with the brilliance which flows from His Sacred Heart?  We can all do it with the grace of God!

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Heart of Jesus

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus I Commit this Day to You

 

Merciful Heart of Jesus, today, in return for Your great love for me, I renew the covenant of love I made with You on the day of my Baptism and which You renew each time You offer Yourself to the Father in the Eucharist.  I consecrate myself, family, and all my undertakings to Your loving Heart.  I offer to bring the message of love and mercy that emanates from Your Sacred Heart to all who will listen.  “Send forth Your Holy Spirit and You shall renew the face of the earth!”

 

I ask this through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your Mother.

 

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Early childhood memories include an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on a wall in our home (as well as in the homes of grandparents and other relatives).  Attending the Parish and School of Saint Margaret Mary also assured familiarity with the Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and First Friday devotions.  My personal devotion to the Sacred Heart grew strong in later years, and so it was a great joy to experience with my dear husband the “City of the Heart of Jesus”, Paray-le-Monial, France.  There is a profound simplicity and spirit in the village, where Jesus revealed His Heart full of love to Sister Margaret Mary, that impels you to also spread His message.  You can feel the peace, love and mercy emanating from the Heart of our Lord, which is made tangible by the dedicated chaplains and lay volunteers who welcome, guide and pray with you.  Most of all, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, you are renewed in faith, hope and love.

My fervent prayer is that you may more deeply feel the Sacred Heart of Jesus embracing you and granting you every good gift as you draw near to Him in every tabernacle of the world.

“Be ever ready to receive Me, for I shall always be ready to give Myself to thee.”

 – Sacred Heart of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary

 

For more information about the Sanctuary of Paray-le-Monial, please visit:

http://www.sanctuaires-paray.com/spip.php?page=sommaire&id_rubrique=2&lang=en



Mural Detail, Chapel of the Visitation

 

 

Basilica

 



Floral heart in garden of Paray-le-Monial

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Blessed John Paul II established that on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Church will observe the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. Each and every one of the faithful is encouraged to pray for our priests today, this very moment, in celebration of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the rosary, so that the 7th June 2013 will be an even greater celebration of the priesthood of Jesus Christ worldwide.

 

For more information, please visit:

http://www.worldpriestday.com/

 

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