On this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we also celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Priests.  To make this an even more special day, today is also the Jubilee for Priests in Rome with Pope Francis during this Jubilee Year of Mercy.  So, what does the Sacred Heart of Jesus have to do with priesthood and the Year of Mercy?  Allow me to reflect and explain.

General devotion to the Sacred Heart were popular in Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries but specific devotions became even more popularized when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), a Visitation nun, had a personal revelation involving a series of visions of Christ as she prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. She wrote, "He disclosed to me the marvels of his Love and the inexplicable secrets of his Sacred Heart." Christ emphasized to her His love -- and His wounded-ness caused by Man's indifference to this love.

He promised that, in response to those who consecrate themselves and make reparations to His Sacred Heart: 

    •    He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.

    •    He will establish peace in their homes.

    •    He will comfort them in all their afflictions.

    •    He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.

    •    He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.

    •    Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

    •    Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.

    •    Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.

    •    He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honored.

    •    He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

    •    Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.

    •    In the excessive mercy of His Heart that His all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

The devotions attached to these promises are: celebrating the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (Friday following Corpus Christi), receiving the Eucharist and going to Confession on the first Friday of nine consecutive months, and making a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.  

Now, what do the promises have in common?  They all have a common thread of mercy.  Jesus is Mercy incarnate!  Our Lords most Sacred Heart is first and foremost a heart of Mercy.  Priests are ordained into the person of Jesus Christ the head of the Church.  Priests are to have the same Sacred Heart of Mercy that our Lord has because we, His priests, are Jesus when we celebrate the Sacraments.  

So, on this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, please pray for us priests that we may conform our hearts into Jesus’ most Sacred Heart.  Resolve right now that you will consecrate yourself to Jesus’ Sacred Heart by celebrating today and following the devotions I listed above.  You can make an Act of Reparation today and start receiving communion the first Friday of July if you are unable to receive today (June 3, 2016).  

As the Year of Mercy continues, reflect on this great feast and on our Lords Sacred Heart and ask Jesus to make your own heart like his own.