Reclaim June for Jesus

Well, we blinked, and we're already half-way through June!

A great liturgical invitation happens in June; we are invited to fall into a divine connection with Jesus and His Most Sacred Heart. The Church formally dedicated June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the 17th century when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, through a private revelation, received visions of the "excessive love" that Christ has for mankind and His lamentations on the indifference and ingratitude of so many souls. He requested a feast in honor of His Sacred Heart so that reparations could be made through acts of love, prayer and Eucharist devotion. Jesus included in the vision these 12 promises of His Sacred Heart:

1.    I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2.    I will give peace in their families.

3.    I will console them in all their troubles.

4.    I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.

5.    I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.

6.    Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7.    Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8.    Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.

9.    I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.

10.  I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11.  Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my Heart.

12.  In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the first Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: They will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.

So many wonderful opportunities are available for us to participate in the devotion to Jesus' Sacred Heart - attend an hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament (alone or as a family), attend mass and receive communion, pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart, pray the Padre Pio Sacred Heart Novena, plan an enthronement of His image in your home, or consecrate yourself/family to His Sacred Heart. If you are someone who likes to outwardly express your faith, you may don a Sacred Heart t-shirt or jewelry. However, you choose to honor the Lord this month, do so with a spirit of humility and gratitude! I attend adoration with my kids, pray the Padre Pio Sacred Heart Novena daily and also like to pray the Litany of Humility often during the month of June. Comment below to share your devotions for June, and don't forget to check out the Liturgical Living e-store for a great Adoration Guide for Parents, Sacred Heart Earrings, and a Sacred Heart Prayer Candle.

Side note: I love that this photo is in black and white! It's a stark contrast to what the prideful modern culture chooses to celebrate this month - purposeful distortion of God's perfect love. As Catholics, let's humbly reclaim the month of June to honor and celebrate our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You!