30th June 2019 - Fr. Donal Neary S.J. - The Sacred Heart of Jesus

On this week's programme our team is joined by Fr. Donal Neary S.J., Editor of The Sacred Heart Messenger, who speaks to us about the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and about The Sacred Heart Messenger. We also have our usual reflection on the Sunday Gospel.

You can listen to the podcast of this week's full programme HERE.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus 
Fr Donal reflects on the devotion to the Sacred Heart which goes back to the scene at Calvary when a sword pierced the Heart of Jesus. From the 17th Century the devotion to the Sacred Heart became more widespread after Sr Margaret Mary Alacoque had visions where Jesus showed her is heart that beats for everyone and loves everyone of us. The devotion to the Sacred Heart was very much part of people’s lives when they were unable to attend Mass. Fr Donal speaks of the Sacred Heart as that of a friend. Both the 1st Friday devotion & the ‘Holy Hour’ came about as a result of devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Fr Donal also spoke to us about the Sacred Heart Messenger of which he is editor. In 1858 Fr James Cullen started an ‘Apostleship of prayer’ magazine and from this beginning the Sacred Heart Messenger came about. With a monthly circulation of 45,000 copies, 80% of which sold through promoters, the magazine contains inspirational articles which support readers on their faith journey. As the cover of the magazine quotes – A modern message in a much-loved tradition. 

Copies of the Messenger are available at some shops and Church book stalls and can be sourced HERE or by writing to: 
37 Lr Leeson Street, Dublin, D02 W938, Ireland. Tel: 01 6767491. Email: sales@messenger.ie 

Icon of the Sacred Heart in Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, written by David Clayton

Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart

(This  version of the novena prayer would be one of the best known as it was used by Padre Pio and was promoted during the promotion of the cause of St Pio. It is a prayer that can be used throughout the year and not just in the lead up to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Indeed, St. Pio prayed this prayer every day.)

I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request)

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) 

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) 

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be to the Father...
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Hail, Holy Queen...
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us. 

You can listen to a podcast of this reflection excerpted from the programme HERE.

Gospel - Luke 9:51-62

As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.

As they travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’

Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’

Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

Reflections on this week's gospel: 

Word on Fire
English Dominicans *
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections *

* In England & Wales the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated instead of the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter Week 1

Saints of the Week
July 1st - St. Oliver Plunkett
July 2nd - St. Bernardino Realino
July 3rd - St. Thomas, Apostle
July 4th - St. Elizabeth of Portugal
July 5th - St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
July 6th - St. Maria Goretti