By Julia Rose
jrose@Marian.org
Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and I've placed my new statue in my office window (above) here at the Marian Helpers Center. It's a gift from Dr. Robert Stackpole, who has written a wonderful new book on the Sacred Heart, Our Light in the Darkness: The Sacred Heart of Jesus, available to order now on ShopMercy.org. An added bonus: the foreword is by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC!
The Marian Fathers have also produced a prayer card (above, right) in honor of the consecration: Get yours today!
Yesterday, the Catholic bishops of the United States performed the formal consecration of the USA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In case you missed it, watch now:
A jam-packed week ahead!
Mark your calendars: There's much to see and do here on Eden Hill in the week ahead. Here's the 411:
TODAY: Enroll your dad, grandpa, godfather, or other father figure in your life in our Father's Day Novena, which starts today in anticipation of the big day on June 21. Details here.
TONIGHT: The annual Global Rosary Relay for Priests, a prayer effort rooted in expressing gratitude for our priests around the world, will be held tonight at 5 p.m. EST. All are encouraged to join the Marian Fathers in praying the Joyful Mysteries in person or via our livestream on DivineMercyPlus.org.
TOMORROW: In addition to being the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, tomorrow is Filipino Day! (Fun fact: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has consecrated the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary four times!) Please join us on Eden Hill: details here.
TOMORROW: Join us online only for a new talk by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, at 11 a.m. ET on "Why are we doing Ad Orientem?" Watch on YouTube at Divine Mercy (Official), Facebook at Divine Mercy (Official), and on DivineMercyPlus.org.
SUNDAY: Your last chance to see the docudrama "Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End," featuring our very own Fr. Chris Alar, MIC! Details here.
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage stops here!
Next Thursday, June 18, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage enters Massachusetts in honor of our nation's 250th birthday, and its first stop is Eden Hill!
The pilgrimage began on Memorial Day weekend in St. Augustine, Florida, and has been making its way north through the original 13 colonies. The goal is to offer 250,000 Holy Hours for the “renewal and blessing of America.” Accompanying our Lord are nine "Perpetual Pilgrims" from all around the country. Fun Fact: They are all young adults! What a beautiful example of how the faith is continuing to grow among the "Gen-Z" generation (of which I am a proud member!).
Please join us at the National Shrine for this historic event, from 12 noon until 3:30 pm. Details here. The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube at Divine Mercy (Official), Facebook at Divine Mercy (Official), and on DivineMercyPlus.org.
Pilgrims from far and near
Speaking of long journeys, Anna and Brent Carlson traveled all the way across the USA from their home in Oregon City, Oregon, where they attend St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. This was their first visit to the National Shrine.
“I’ve followed St. Faustina since I was a little girl," Ann said. "My Italian neighbor gave me her Diary, and I’ve prayed the Chaplet over the years. I keep the Divine Mercy prayercard in my purse, and our parish prays the Chaplet every Wednesday."
Anna and Brent are committed pilgrims, having visited Rome, Jerusalem, Lourdes, and Fátima! “We really enjoy going to holy sites where people get closer to the Lord," Brent said. "They're a real treasure to us." Their next stop? Medjugorje!
For Franciscan Br. Joseph Peter (above) from New York City, his visit to the Shrine was a long-time coming. “It is a big return for me. I haven’t been back since 2001,” he told me. “I’m totally devoted to the message of Divine Mercy.”
Raised by a Jewish mother, Br. Joseph Peter dabbled in Eastern religions before finding his way "home." He has a strong devotion to the Eucharist, especially Eucharistic Adoration, and cited the words of Jesus in this passage from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska:
I desire to unite Myself with human souls; My great delight is to unite Myself with souls. Know, My daughter, that when I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not even pay any attention to Me; they leave Me to Myself and busy themselves with other things. Oh, how sad I am that souls do not recognize Love! They treat Me as a dead object (1385).
“For me, it has become a mission to encourage people who are Catholics to become more spiritually inclined," he added. "Spend at least five minutes in prayer after receiving Holy Communion to be present to His presence and discern the operation of His grace in your soul.” Great advice!
Have a wonderful weekend! Hope to see you here on Eden Hill!
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