Pictured is a stained glass window of the Sacred Heart in Sacred Heart Church, Camden, the first church in New Jersey named in honor of the Sacred Heart. (photo – Dave Hernandez)
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I remember growing up and having an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our home in Philadelphia, right next to the front door as you entered our home.
I am sure as a youngster I did not fully understand Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart, but I did know that the heart is a symbol of love. Thus, as my brothers, sister and I grew up, we came to understand that the heart of Jesus is a heart of love. My parents, although not theology professors, were good teachers. There is no greater lesson for a family than to know that we are loved by Jesus, and that we are called to love one another.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a devotion our world needs at this time. The world desperately needs to know — and live — the love of Christ. It has been a challenging time for the country and for the church these past 14 months. We have restless hearts, and as Saint Augustine so wisely wrote centuries ago in “The Confessions”: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Yes, God is Love and we are made in God’s image and likeness, thus we are made by love, and for love.
Devotion to the Heart of Jesus has a long history in the church, but it was the French Visitation Sister, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who popularized the devotion for the faithful after a series of private revelations that occurred between 1673 and 1675. The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated the Friday after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Founded as a parish in 1885, Sacred Heart Church in Camden is the first church in all of New Jersey named in honor of the Sacred Heart. We all have so much to pray for. Bring your intentions, your brokenness, your sins, your worries, your loved ones, to the Heart of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.
I invite the faithful to a Novena of Masses in honor of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus to our parish:
Sacred Heart Church: 1739 Ferry Ave. Camden NJ 08104
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart – Friday, June 11
Thursday, June 3 — Friday June 11
Confession: 6:15 p.m. before 7 p.m. Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Novena
(June 5 and 6 – normal weekend Mass schedule, Novena after Communion)
On each weeknight of the novena, we will pray for a particular intention: vocations; justice for migrants, immigrants, and refugees; racial justice; an end to abortion; for those suffering from addiction; victims of abuse; and conversion of hearts to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Prayer cards will be provided so you can consecrate your home to the Sacred Heart.
In the 1960s, composers Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote the hit song “What the World Needs Now is Love.” This is true today, but not just any love. What the world needs now is to know the love of Christ Jesus. A love that is all merciful, all sacrifice, and never ending. A love that can transform families, our diocese, our country and the world. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Conform your heart, to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. I hope you can join us for this special novena.
Father Vincent Guest is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden.
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