During the month of June, Catholics are encouraged to deepen their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through prayer, reflection, and acts of charity. This tradition dates back to the 17th century when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun, had visions of Jesus Christ revealing His Sacred Heart to her. This devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus became popular and spread throughout the Catholic Church.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents the love and compassion that Jesus has for humanity. The heart is a symbol of love and devotion, representing the very essence of Jesus Christ.
OUR ACTION THIS JUNE
This month, St. Brigid Parish dedicates our prayers to vocations for the church. We can direct our prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who also answered the prayers of Margaret Mary Alacoque to fulfill her desire for a religious vocation:
After her father died when she was eight years old, Margaret and her mother were subjected to persecution and captivity in their own home by their relatives. This period of intense suffering brought her closer to Christ and strengthened her spiritual development. She had a very difficult childhood but prayed to God to protect her vocation to become a religious. She became a nun in the Visitation order in 1672 at the convent at Paray-le-Monial. Find more information here: https://welcomehisheart.com/a-brief-overview-of-the-sacred-heart-devotion
Use this link to let us know that you are participating in this devotional prayer:
https://tinyurl.com/SBJuneDevotionHere is a short prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for vocations. Please try to pray it as often as you can:
“Inflame our hearts with the fire of Divine Love that we may grow daily in charity, piety, humility, love of God and one another. Send to us many pious, obedient, and devout vocations to assist us in our work for souls. Give to our Priests and Religious hearts patterned after Thine own.”
The purpose of personal devotion is to strengthen our faith, by leading us to a closer relationship with Christ. There are many solemnities in June that point us to those who dedicated their lives to building up the Church, just we are also called. Attend Mass on these special days, or perhaps read the daily readings from Mass and reflect on their meaning in your own life.
June 2: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Join us at the 11:00am Mass for a very special Eucharistic procession, followed by refreshments and Adoration until 3pm.
June 7: Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is also the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests.
June 8: Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist who was the first to point the way to Jesus
June 29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, our first apostles
Here are some additional prayers for Vocations. Please choose the ones that seem best for you.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayers-vocations
One popular devotional practice is the daily recitation of the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This litany is a prayer of intercession that asks for the mercy, love, and protection of Jesus.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/litany-sacred-heart-jesus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UwS1fNXC4I
To learn more about Vocations, visit https://www.archchicago.org/vocations
Another short prayer:
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/prayer/traditional-catholic-prayers/prayers-for-special-intentions/prayer-for-vocations/