The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also known as Sacred Heart Day, is celebrated in Colombia ten weeks and one day after Easter Sunday, and it celebrates the flawless, unfathomable love of Jesus Christ for all of humanity. This year’s date is June 19. This day occurs 19 days after Pentecost, which is always on a Friday, but in Colombia, as with other Catholic holidays, it is celebrated on the Monday following the actual date.
The background of Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart Day honours the physical heart of Jesus Christ, which represents his limitless compassion for all humanity. The devotion to the Sacred Heart has become one of the most well-known Catholic practises since the 1600s, when it first acquired popularity. It evolved from the veneration of the sacred wounds Jesus Christ received during his crucifixion into a festival of Christ’s divine love.
There were early devotees of the Sacred Heart, such as Mechtilde of Helfta and Gertrude the Great; however, its prominence grew as more fervent devotees emerged. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a nun, was among the earliest and most well-known devotees. Margaret claimed to have seen apparitions of Jesus Christ, including one in which he asked to be honoured under the symbol of his heart and another in which he asked for a feast to be observed 19 days after Pentecost on the second Friday after Corpus Christi. This paved the way for other fervent devotees, such as Estelle Faguette and Mary of the Divine Heart, who carried the consecration of Jesus’ Sacred Heart to the entire world.
Sacred Heart Day is a holiday honouring the Sacred Heart. Its commemoration dates back to the 1600s, when French Roman Catholic priest John Eudes initiated it. In 1856, during the reign of Pope Pius IX, it became a required observance.
In Colombia, the holiday is always observed 10 weeks and one day after Easter Sunday on a Monday. It is a holiday throughout the nation. In lieu of work and school, citizens are encouraged to spend the day spreading and sharing their affection for one another and Jesus Christ.
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5 Interesting Heart-Related Facts
Jesus made 12 promises to those who honour the Sacred Heart when he appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
When Christ visited Saint Lutgarde in the 1200s, she requested for Christ’s heart, and he granted her request.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque composed a prayer of consecration that enables individuals to devote their lives to the heart of Christ.
In 1681, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque felt compelled to devote her entire existence to Christ by cutting his name into her chest.
The primary distributor of the Scapular of the Sacred Heart nearly died from pulmonary tuberculosis before being miraculously cured by the Virgin Mary.
SACRED HEART DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June 27 | Monday |
| 2023 | June 19 | Monday |
| 2024 | June 10 | Monday |
| 2025 | June 30 | Monday |
| 2026 | June 15 | Monday |
