On June 24th, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The origins of the feast are with the visions received by St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, a 17th-century Visitation nun in a town called Paray-le-Monial, France. Her visions of Jesus presenting himself with his heart, were initially disbelieved by her fellow sisters. Then Jesus promised her in prayer that he would send her his “faithful servant and perfect friend.” Shortly afterwards, a Jesuit named Claude la Colombiere [arrived] at the convent to serve as a spiritual director for the sisters. He saw that Sr. Margaret Mary’s visions were authentic and devotion to the Sacred Heart spread from there.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart is an invitation to ask ourselves, “How did Jesus love?” and “Whom did Jesus love?” The answers to those two questions are: abundantly, totally and completely; and everyone, especially those who were poor or marginalized. But there are other questions that the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart raises: “How do I love?” and “Whom do I love?” And the most important question of all, “How can I love like Jesus?” Maybe that’s a question we can ask ourselves tomorrow and always, as we encounter each person with the love of our own hearts, which seeks to love as Jesus’ Sacred Heart did. ~ James Martin, SJ, AMERICA
In the Cabrinian community, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus holds great importance. It is the day on which the Missionary Sisters renew their vows and the Cabrini Lay Missionaries renew their commitments. Please keep the Missionary Sisters and the Cabrini Lay Missionaries in your thoughts and prayers in a special way on this Feast Day. And, this year, the Feast of the Sacred Heart is observed as the Missionary Sisters are about to enter their General Chapter which commences on Sunday, June 26th. We ask that you continue to keep the General Chapter in your prayers asking the Holy Spirit to inspire, enlighten and guide the proceedings and all those present.
A Message from the MSC Generalate in Rome…
Dear Sisters and colleagues,
We would like to share with you the link to the livestreaming of the General Chapter Opening Mass, on Sunday June 26 at 5:30 pm Rome time.
LINK: https://youtu.be/MiImnaKy5ak
We hope that you will participate – even if online – in this special moment for the Institute and the entire Cabrinian family.
Thank you.