Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Since June is specially dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus we will be paying particular attention to this devotion throughout the month.

The following is taken from "The Devotion to the Sacred Heart," by Fr. John Croiset, SJ, which was commissioned by Our Lord Himself, through St. Margaret Mary.

"All the dispositions necessary for [devotion to the Sacred Heart] may be reduced to four: a great horror of sin, a lively faith, a great desire to love Jesus Christ, and, for those who wish to taste the real sweetness of this devotion and draw all the fruit from it, interior recollection."

Regarding horror of sin, Fr. Croiset writes further:

"It is then evident that whoever undertakes to practice true devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, should at the same time resolve to do all in his power to acquire a purity of heart much above that of Christians of ordinary virtue."

Regarding a lively faith, Fr. Croiset writes:

"[W]e should pray much; we should often ask God for this lively faith; we should, in fine, behave like people who believe, and we shall soon feel ourselves animated with this lively faith."

Regarding a great desire to love Jesus Christ ardently, Fr. Croiset writes:

"[I]f we have not this ardent love for Jesus Christ, let us a least once in our life make some serious reflections on the obligations which we have of loving Him, and it is certain that they will give rise to a least a true desire to be inflamed with this ardent love."

Regarding interior recollection, Fr. Croiset writes:

"[I]nterior recollection is a gift of God; we should often pray to Him for this gift, and pray to Him for it as a necessary disposition to love Jesus Christ ardently; this motive renders all our prayers efficacious."