Happy June! With the impending official start of summer, images of lazy pool days, dripping ice cream cones, and fireworks come to mind, but June is also the perfect time to celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Both feast days are right around the corner, and there are numerous ways to observe both beautiful Catholic days.
Read on to learn more about these heart-centered feast days, their histories, and how to glorify Jesus and honor His Mother this month.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
I’m sure many of us have heard of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, popularly depicted as a heart encircled with the crown of thorns and a flame above. The image evokes the transformative power of Jesus’s love.
In the 1600s, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (a Visitation sister), and Pope Pius IX declared the feast of the Sacred Heart official in 1856. This year, we’re celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart on Friday, June 11 – the feast day traditionally takes place on the third Friday after Pentecost.
When Jesus appeared to St. Margaret in her visions, he made twelve promises of blessings to those who honor the Sacred Heart and devote themselves to His love.
12 Promises of the Sacred Heart Devotion
- I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their homes.
- I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
- I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
- I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners will find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
- Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- I will bless every place in which an image of my heart is exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
- I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my 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 my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
One way you can honor the Sacred Heart is by enthroning your home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Never done it? No problem! Enthronement to the Sacred Heart is a dedication of the home and family to obey and love Jesus and His Commandments by way of a special blessing over an image of the Sacred Heart by a priest.
How to enthrone your home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Pick a day for enthronement that is meaningful to your family - Perhaps a particular saint’s feast day, a special anniversary, or the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
- Make preparations to have Mass said in your home on the day of the enthronement.
- Get a picture of the Sacred Heart.
- Create a beautiful space to display the image - somewhere your family will see and honor it daily.
- You may wish to invite your family and friends to the enthronement ceremony. Showing your loved ones that Christ is the center of your home is a beautiful witness!
- Celebrate! Share a meal with your loved ones after the priest concludes the Mass and enthronement ceremony.
If you’re able to, consider enthroning your home before the end of June, as this is the month of the Sacred Heart!
Just Love Prints has a 5x7 and an 8x10 Sacred Heart of Jesus print, sure to bring vibrance and cheer wherever it’s placed. We also offer a Sacred Heart of Jesus Vinyl sticker for you to add to your prayer journal or laptop, as well as Sacred Heart temporary tattoos, which are a dainty reminder of Jesus’s love and an extra dose of courage in everyday life.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Immediately on the heels of the feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary takes place the third Saturday after Pentecost – this year, June 12. The devotion practice to her pure heart began in the Middle Ages but became popularized when Saint Catherine Labouré created the Miraculous Medal in 1830.
Celebrated the day after the feast day of the Sacred Heart, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary commemorates Mary’s joys and sorrows, her virtue, and her unending compassion for God, her Son, and all mankind. Similar to her Son’s imagery, Mary’s Immaculate Heart is depicted as a flaming heart, pierced with a sword, and wrapped in a chain of roses.
Practicing devotion to the Immaculate Heart can be done in several ways, including the Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. There are also many songs celebrating our Mother, specifically the traditional hymn, “Immaculate Mary”! Visual imagery is another way to celebrate this feast day – consider Just Love Prints Immaculate Heart of Mary print, as well as the Immaculate Heart Collection temporary tattoos and vinyl sticker.
And, of course, although we’ve celebrated his two feast days already, it is the Year of St. Joseph! Celebrate the entire Holy Family with the Holy Family Hearts Collection, or beautiful foil-accented Holy Family Hearts print – St. Joseph’s most chaste heart completes the family, adorned with flowers and on fire with life for his Son.
Pray for us, most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Sacred Heart of Jesus Vinyl Sticker
$4.99
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Display this vinyl sticker on your phone case, laptop, water bottle, or notebook, and be reminded of Jesus' fierce love + protection. Details:• Weatherproof & dishwasher safe! Great for your water bottle,… Read More
Immaculate Heart of Mary Vinyl Sticker
$4.99
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Here's a bright vinyl sticker of Mary's Immaculate Heart that would look beautiful on any water bottle, phone case, laptop, or notebook. Display it and be reminded of Mary's strength and love for… Read More