Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

In religious art, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is usually portrayed as a human heart surrounded by flames and surmounted by a cross. It is predominately Christian symbology. The heart is usually bleeding because of a lance wound and it is surrounded by a crown of thorns. The Sacred Heart symbolizes Jesus' humanity as well as his infinite love for the world.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart has existed for centuries. However, the Feast of the Sacred Heart did not exist until the late 17th century. On August 31, 1670, Saint John Eudes, who was greatly devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart at one of his parish missions in Rennes, France. Devotion to the Sacred Heart and observance of the feast quickly spread throughout France. However, the feast was not celebrated universally until the visions of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque were made public.

During the visions, which lasted from December of 1673 to June of 1675, Jesus showed the saint His heart and asked her to spread devotion to it. During the final vision, He asked that the Feast of the Sacred Heart be celebrated universally on the 19th day after Pentecost Sunday. Consequently, the feast is always celebrated on a Friday.

Shortly after the saint's death, the devotion received a certain amount of ecclesiastical approval. Although the feast was quickly celebrated throughout France, it was not acknowledged universally. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque's visions were not deemed worthy of belief until the 19th century. Since then, the devotion has spread all over the world and the Feast of the Sacred Heart is now a solemnity of the Catholic Church. The feast is sometimes observed in the Anglican and Lutheran churches as well.

Roman Catholics are not required to observe the feast although it is highly recommended. Members of religious orders and laypeople who pray the Divine Office will pray the Office of the Sacred Heart beginning with Solemn Vespers on the evening before the feast. The Feast of the Sacred Heart is not a holy day of obligation. However, it does have its own Mass liturgy. The fast and abstinence that traditionally take place on Fridays are dispensed with on this day.

It is recommended that the Litany of the Sacred Heart be recited on this day and that images of the Sacred Heart be venerated and/or given a place of prominence in homes and churches. The Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can also be recited individually or as a group. The consecration is often recited in parish churches before the final blessing of that day's Mass.

Another common practice on this feast day is the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart. During the Enthronement, an image of the Sacred Heart is given a permanent place of prominence in a home or church. Either a priest or the head of the household recites the Act of Consecration and the entire family or congregation recites other prayers and litanies including the Apostle's Creed and the Hail, Holy Queen.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is meant to remind people of Jesus' love and to encourage the faithful to make reparation for the many sins committed against Him.