this week's feasts
St. Boniface
As a parish that was founded by and for German immigrants, St. Boniface is significant for Mother of God Church. He is known as the Apostle to the Germans, as one of the first missionaries to go into the German lands, and to be quite successful in converting the people there to Catholicism. Boniface was born in England and was given the name Winfred. Later he would go to Rome, where the pope would give him the new name of Boniface.
Ordained in Rome and consecrated a bishop, he was sent to the German tribes, who were worshipping the gods of northern Europe—Odin, Thor, etc. He would be very successful at preaching the Gospel and winning converts to the faith.
Ordained in Rome and consecrated a bishop, he was sent to the German tribes, who were worshipping the gods of northern Europe—Odin, Thor, etc. He would be very successful at preaching the Gospel and winning converts to the faith.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Friday and Saturday after the Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord are celebrated as the feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As the only priest in the Diocese of Covington who has been pastor of both Sacred Heart Church in Bellevue and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Burlington, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on these titles of Jesus and Mary.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is usually associated with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, although the devotion existed long before her. She became the great teacher and promoter of prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The image of the Sacred Heart is central to this spirituality. In the image we see Jesus with His right hand raised in blessing. His heart is visible, and we can see that it is pierced by a sword (as was Jesus on the Cross) from above, and that flames (the fire of God’s love) rise from the heart. It is surrounded by the Crown of Thorns that He had worn on His head.
The meaning of the image is that Christ’s love for us is a fiery, passionate, and suffering love, not a cool, detached love. It is intended to show us the incredible love that Christ has for us.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be Friday, June 7.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is usually associated with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, although the devotion existed long before her. She became the great teacher and promoter of prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The image of the Sacred Heart is central to this spirituality. In the image we see Jesus with His right hand raised in blessing. His heart is visible, and we can see that it is pierced by a sword (as was Jesus on the Cross) from above, and that flames (the fire of God’s love) rise from the heart. It is surrounded by the Crown of Thorns that He had worn on His head.
The meaning of the image is that Christ’s love for us is a fiery, passionate, and suffering love, not a cool, detached love. It is intended to show us the incredible love that Christ has for us.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be Friday, June 7.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
The next day, Saturday, June 8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the image of Mary’s Immaculate Heart, we see the heart, which is surrounded by a crown of roses and is pierced by a sword (in some images, there are seven swords for the seven dolors or sufferings of Mary). Like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, flames come forth from the heart, symbolizing the passion of Mary’s love.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus reveals to us the passionate love that Jesus has for each of us. The Immaculate Heart of Mary reveals the passionate love that she has for her Son, Jesus. Through the devotion to the Immaculate Heart, we are called to love Christ as much as does His mother.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus reveals to us the passionate love that Jesus has for each of us. The Immaculate Heart of Mary reveals the passionate love that she has for her Son, Jesus. Through the devotion to the Immaculate Heart, we are called to love Christ as much as does His mother.
