The Devotion to the Sacred Heart

Celebrated on the third Friday after Pentecost, the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus recognizes Jesus’ great love for us as symbolized by His heart.

According to the National Shrine website blog, the significance of this devotion is,"Jesus’s profound love for us is demonstrated through His willingness to sacrifice His life for our sake. The love from His heart motivated all His actions — His inner life manifested in His demonstrated virtues and sacrifice. Yet this great love is often received with ingratitude, even by the faithful. The purpose of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to focus our hearts on receiving and returning His love with gratitude — with all of our heart, soul, and strength — that He may be glorified."

Xavier University provides us a simple but, powerful prayer we can say for this special devotion: "O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in all dangers, and comfort me in my afflictions. Amen."