The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the focus of our devotion in the month of June. (Each month has a particular focus. For example, May is devoted to Mary.)  Appropriately the United States Bishops consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart on June 11 this year (2026). Why the Sacred Heart?

A heart symbolizes life, love, one’s whole being. “I love you with my whole heart,” means “with all that I am.” Jesus’s heart represents his immense love for us. One reason God became human was to love us with a human heart. He performed the supreme act of love: dying for the beloved. As he died for us, a lance pierced his heart.

Once while standing in line in the library, I glimpsed a Sacred Heart badge in the wallet of the man ahead of me. Some people consider this devotion passé or sentimental; children may think the art of Jesus’s heart out of the body morbid. Yet, Pope Francis wrote an encyclical on the Sacred Heart, Dilexit nos (He Loved Us).

Sacred Heart in Art

In art, the Sacred Heart is surmounted by a cross and encircled by thorns, symbols of how he loved you to death. The heart bears a wound from a lance. Flames shoot forth from the top of the heart, representing the burning love Jesus has for you. In some pictures, Jesus holds out his heart for you to accept.

This Devotion’s Origin

Saint Gertrude the Great, a mystic, already had great devotion to the Sacred Heart in the 13^th century. She prayed: “O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary.”

The devotion flourished in the 17^th century after Jesus asked Saint Margaret Mary to promote it, saying he wanted everyone to know the depths of his love. He said: “Behold this heart, which has so loved men [and women], but which is so little loved in return.” Unrequited love is sad. Unrequited divine love is tragic.

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal advised, “Sometimes put yourself very simply before God, certain of his presence everywhere, and without any effort, whisper very softly to his Sacred Heart whatever your own heart prompts you to say.”

Saint Bonaventure wrote: “Who is there who would not love this wounded heart? Who would not love in return Him, who loves so much?”

Jesus requested frequent Communion, especially on the first Friday of each month; holy hours; and a feast iin honor of his Sacred Heart. Jesus also made twelve promises.

Now people own Sacred Heart scapulars or badges, observe nine first Fridays, and celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday 19 days after Pentecost. Families are consecrated to the Sacred Heart and enthrone his image.

A True Story about the Sacred Heart

A Sister’s family was devoted to the Sacred Heart. Left with an empty nest, her parents wished to adopt a baby, but had no luck. Before making vows, Sister gave Jesus an ultimatum: “You don’t get me if my parents don’t get a baby.” At a conference in Canada, another Sister chanced to meet an orphanage’s administrators and talked about the parents longing for a child. On the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, the parents received a letter from Montreal’s bishop inviting them to choose a child. They adopted a boy, and Sister made her vows.

Jesus welcomes and answers your prayers, too, if they’re for the good.

You and Jesus

How might you stoke your love for Jesus? Read the Gospels and hear him speak to your heart. Spend time aware of his presence and bask in his love. Participate more fully and often in the Eucharist.

Honoring Jesus under the title of the Sacred Heart shows love in return. Celebrate an enthronement to the Sacred Heart, consecrating your home and heart to him. Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart. Go to Mass on First Fridays. Your love for Jesus may spark love in other people.

We thirst for something more. Our heart is like a jigsaw puzzle with a piece missing. Only God completes it. Conversely, the heart of Jesus may also want a missing piece: You!

Here is a short prayer you might adopt:

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore

 that I may ever love you more and more.

For Reflection

What do you or have you done to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

Was anything in this post a surprise to you? If so, what?

Here is a prayer with peaceful music: