Today (03 June) is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. On this day we also observe the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests which was established by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
The devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a great expression of the piety of the Church for Jesus Christ, her Spouse and Lord. It was, and still remains, as one of the most widespread and most popular amongst the pious practices of the Church and requires an attitude of fundamental conversion and reparation, of love and gratitude, of apostolic, commitment and of consecration to Christ and His saving work.
The expression “Heart of Christ” denotes the entire mystery of Christ, the totality of His being, His Person is considered in its core’s most intimate and essential:
- Son of God
- the Uncreated Wisdom
- Infinite Charity
- Principle of Salvation
- Sanctification for the entire humanity
For St. Annibale, the Heart of Jesus was the door through which he was able to know the depths and breadth of love of God, the school where he made his “the sentiments of Christ Jesus”, particularly that of “compassion” for humanity, “tired and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd ” and the “zeal” for the Glory of God and His Holy Name. For this, he consecrated to the “Heart of Jesus” the two religious families he had founded: the Daughters of Divine Zeal and the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus.
Jesus does not want cold hearts. He wants love, intimate love, tender, open, strong, calm, peaceful, yet passionate, fervent, constant. Love Jesus with great transport of the will, of the intellect, as well as of all the powers of the inner soul and the senses. Always keep in mind His adorable person, all the mysteries of His most holy life. And above all be drawn to Him in the holy tabernacle, the loving nest that He chose for Himself, where His body gathers the eagles — Annibale Maria Di Francia (Writings, Vol.45 p. 398).
Remaining in the Heart of Jesus, living in Him, listening to His command Rogate, it is possible to realize our vocation as Daughters of Divine Zeal, because this is how we can give life to the sentiments of Christ who
…spent His nights in prayer, who travelled all cities and villages, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every disease and infirmity. (Mt. 9:35-38; Lk 10:2)
(United in Prayer pp.203-204)
Prayer for Priests
O Jesus, Eternal Priest,
look down with love upon Thy priests.
Fill them with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners.
Keep them within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart.
Keep unstained their anointed hands
which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly their hearts
sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood.
Let Thy holy love protect them from the world’s contagion.
Bless their labours with abundant fruit,
and may the souls to whom they minister on earth
be one day their joy and consolation in heaven.
Amen.
Photo Gallery
Catch a glimpse of our FDZ Chapel in preparation for Eucharistic Adoration and the day of Solemnity in the For the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus album on our Facebook page.
Source: Prayers for Priests | Image courtesy of turnbacktogod.com
See Also: Solemnity of the Sacred Heart
Daughters of Divine Zeal Vocations 