Molly Fernandes
The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary has been a lasting memory since my childhood. In every home I visited, I would see these two large beautiful pictures ‘Painols’ placed besides the main altar of the family.
As a child, I also remember my mother praying the additional Sacred Heart rosary every Friday with my family, who would add the “Soul of Christ” prayer. At the time, I didn’t fully understand why she prayed this extra rosary, and I often wondered why I had to kneel a little longer! Today, however, this practice has become a treasured part of my life, and that devotion to the fount of love that poured forth from Christ’s pierced side is now my daily spiritual nourishment.
I feel delighted that our Holy Father, has been inspired to write this reflective encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. This new encyclical serves as a beautiful reminder of the deep love and boundless mercy that flows from the heart of Christ, inviting all of us to reflect on His unwavering compassion and self-sacrifice. It is a source of great joy and spiritual nourishment, encouraging us to deepen our devotion and draw closer to the heart of Jesus, a wellspring of grace and hope for the world.
In his new encyclical ‘Dilexit Nos’ (“He Loved Us”), released on 24 October 2024, Pope Francis invites Catholics to rediscover the love and compassion at the heart of Jesus Christ, which he describes as a source of healing for a fractured world. The encyclical builds on the Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart, calling it a profound inspiration for saints, theologians, and believers throughout history.
Here are seven key themes from the encyclical ‘He Loved Us’:
1. Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ - The title ‘Dilexit Nos’ comes from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Rom 8:35, 37-39), emphasizing that no force can separate us from the love of Christ.
2. The Power of the Heart in a Fragmented World - Pope Francis critiques the superficiality and “liquid” culture of consumerism of contemporary life, urging people to find solace in the Eucharist and the heart of Christ, he writes, is “the beating of a trustworthy presence” that guides us through life.
3. The Cross as the Ultimate Expression of Christ’s Love - The encyclical highlights the pierced heart of Christ as embodying God’s declarations of love. Pope Francis finds great consolation in contemplating Christ’s suffering and self-surrender for our salvation.
4. Love as a Missionary Impulse - Francis writes about the social and missionary dimensions of devotion to the heart of Christ, encouraging Catholics to spread goodness and serve others, inspired by figures like St. Therese and St. Charles de Foucauld.
5. Acts of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Pope Francis discusses the Catholic tradition of making acts of reparation to the Sacred Heart, emphasizing the importance of love and sacrifice in nourishing Christ’s love and serving others.
6. Saints and the Sacred Heart - The encyclical reflects on the lives of saints like St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, whose visions of Christ’s heart inspired widespread devotion. Pope Francis draws on their examples to encourage Catholics to embrace the Sacred Heart as a source of renewal and grace.
7. The Wounded Heart of Christ as a Wellspring of Peace and Unity - In response to secularization and division, Francis sees the heart as a source of unity. He urges communities to reconcile and unite through the heart of Christ, promoting peace and justice.
Lastly, the Pope, calls on the faithful to return to the heart of Christ, which offers healing, peace, and love needed to address the world’s challenges. Yes, ‘He Loved Us’ till He could give His last drop of water and blood as Pope Francis in no. 220 concludes with a prayer that the hurts we have caused to the others and the wounded world, may regain its heart, asking for God’s mercy and love to heal the divisions and challenges we face.