Did you know that the month of June is the traditional month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? While it’s easier to remember a month like May—the month of Mary and Mother’s Day—sometimes we tend to forget about the other months. The good news that is your friendly neighborhood Epic Pew writer is here to not only remind you about (or whom) we celebrate in June, but you’ll also get ideas of how to celebrate the month.
With the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus landing on June 28th this year, you can begin doing little things leading up to the feast day. Ready to start? Here are four ideas to get you into the spirit of the day/month.
1. Make an enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Do you have an image of the Sacred Heart in your home? Is it blessed? If not, you may consider doing an Enthronement. It is one of the easiest and best ways to show your devotion to the Sacred Heart. After all, Jesus told St. Margaret Mary, “I will bless every dwelling where an image of My Heart is both exposed and honored.”
To do it is quite simple. You should go to Mass and receive the Eucharist the day of the enthronement, get an image of the Sacred Heart blessed if the priest won’t be present at the ceremony, have the enthronement ceremony with the whole family present, and then you watch the graces flow into your home. It’s best to have a priest do the ceremony but the head of the house can also do it if you’re unable to get a priest to do it.
2. Start a First Friday Devotion
If you already haven’t tried it, begin the First Friday Devotion to the Heart of Jesus. What exactly does this entail? You will need to receive Holy Communion and recite the Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on each First Friday for nine consecutive Fridays. What will you receive in return? To quote Our Lord (to St. Margaret Mary),
“I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments; my divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in that last moment.”
3. Make an Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Find yourself feeling overwhelmed with the possible busyness of this month? Consider doing the Act of Reparation on the solemnity. Yes, there are indulgences attached to it. For a single recitation, an indulgence of 300 days. A plenary indulgence is given once per month if done as part of the first Friday devotion.
4. Make “Heart Aflame Sundaes”
A fun (and summertime approved) way to celebrate the day is to make Heart Aflame Sundaes. Here is the quick and easy recipe (courtesy of Catholic Cuisine):
Place strawberry ice cream or sherbet (to represent Jesus’ heart) in a bowl. Next, take peach slices and arrange them like flames on top of the ice cream. Add chocolate chips or sprinkles across the middle to represent the crown of thorns. Voila!
However you choose to celebrate the month (or just the solemnity), may the Sacred Heart of Jesus inflame our hearts with love for Him.