My dear parishioners,
Peace! The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions the Heart of Jesus variously. “Scripture is a unity by reason of the unity of God’s plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open since His Passover. The phrase ‘heart of Christ’ can refer to Sacred Scripture, which makes known His heart, closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was obscure” (CCC, 112; cf. Luke 24:25-27, 44-46; Psalm 22:14). how in view of the incarnation He loves with a human heart, and “the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that … love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception” (cf. CCC, 470, 478; John 19:34; Pius XII Encyclical Haurietis aquas). One part of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, VHM (+1690) mystically received the promises. Here we consider the twelfth of the twelve promises: 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.
The First Friday devotion of Holy Mass and Communion is a core component of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There are at least four different aspects of the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart including:
First, the Lord Jesus has asked that we actually go to Holy Mass and worthily receive Holy Communion on First Fridays in honor of His Sacred Heart. Each Friday we recall the Lord’s saving passion, when His Sacred Heart was pierced (cf. John 19:34).
Second, the Lord Jesus asks us to actually go to Holy Mass and worthily receive Holy Communion for nine consecutive First Fridays. The nine First Fridays make up a novena of sorts, mirroring the nine days of prayer between the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost (cf, Acts 1:12-2:5). Going to Holy Mass and worthily receiving Holy Communion on First Fridays is one way to establish a very good habit. After all, the Lord has commanded us to “do this in memory of Me”(cf. Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24). There is an old axiom which goes: Sew an act reap a habit, sew a habit reap a virtue, sew a virtue reap a destiny.
Third, we are able to manifest our love for the Lord by doing as He has commanded (cf. John 14:15).
Fourth, the Lord’s promise of final perseverance is not a license to sin, but a promise of the graces we need to overcome sin in our lives so as to be ready to see Him face to face.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr