First Friday Mass on the same date as the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 7, 2024

A Most Holy Day The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus has a rich history that dates back to the 17th century. The first liturgical feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated on August 31, 1670, in Rennes, France, with the approval of the local bishop, thanks to the efforts of St. John Eudes. This celebration was influenced by the earlier devotions to the Sacred Heart that arose from meditations on the Five Wounds of Christ, particularly during the 11th century.

The devotion gained significant momentum following the reported revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the late 1670s. She had visions of Christ, where He expressed His desire for the veneration of His heart, symbolizing His love for humanity.

In 1765, the feast received papal approval for use in Poland and Portugal, and later in other countries like Venice, Austria, and Spain. The feast became more universally recognized when, in 1856, Pope Pius IX extended it to the entire Latin Church, to be celebrated on the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi. It was elevated to the rank of first class by Pope Leo XIII in 1889.

The feast was further promoted to the highest rank, double of the first class, by Pope Pius XI in 1928, and an octave was added, although the octave was later suppressed in the liturgical reforms of 1955. With the changes in 1969, the feast was assigned the highest rank of solemnity, and the Mass prayers and readings were updated.

This feast is not only a time for the Catholic faithful to reflect on the love of Christ but also serves as a reminder of the enduring message of divine compassion and mercy that is central to Christian faith. It's celebrated with various religious practices, including Masses, processions, and acts of reparation, emphasizing the profound impact of Christ's love for all people.

(1) Feast of the Sacred Heart - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Sacred_Heart.

(2) Five facts about the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Digest. https://www.catholicdigest.com/faith/spirituality/five-facts-about-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/.

(3) Sacred Heart of Jesus | EWTN. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/sacred-heart-of-jesus-14357.

(4) The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. https://sacredheartfla.org/sunday-mornings/seasonal/feast-days-solemnities/the-solemnity-of-the-most-sacred-heart-of-jesus/.

(5) Sacred Heart - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart.