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Father Jules
Chevalier, the founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, believed
firmly that not he but Mary was the true founder of his Congregation.
He based this belief on his experiences. When he first conceived the
idea of establishing a house of missionaries in Issoudun, central
France, he had no step-by step plan of how to go about it. He needed
financial means, he needed the approval of his bishop, he needed
companions. He firmly believed that his prayers to Mary provided him
with all he needed and made it clear beyond doubt that his idea of
founding a house of missionaries had heavenly backing. In return he
promised Mary that in his society she would be honoured in a special
way. After a few years of searching how to keep this promise he finally
came up with a name of honour for Mary: she is "Our Lady of the Sacred
Heart."
The title
expresses the strong bond that exists between Mary and her child. The
way to the heart of Christ runs via his mother. She knows him better
than anybody else. She brought him into this world and she understands
the desire of his heart to be with people and to call them to let God’s
love reign in their hearts.
In the Gospel
according to Luke (1:45) Elizabeth praises Mary because of her faith:
“Blessed are you who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”
Mary believed that with God nothing is impossible.
The way Mary
opens the heart of her Son to us is through her faith in him, a faith
that lasted all of his life; from the very beginning of his birth in the
stable, until the bitter end of his death on the cross. It was a life
freely given away, spent generously for all, with no-one excluded, so
that we may recognise the love of God and let it sink into our hearts.
That is what Jesus stood for, that is what Mary believed in with all her
heart. And one day this will happen, for God will not be deterred from
bringing about his reign, and with Him nothing is impossible.
MSC
Prayer to Our
Lady of the Sacred Heart
Remember,
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,
The great
things the Lord has done for you,
He chose
you for his mother,
He wanted
you close to his cross,
He gives
you a share in His glory,
He listens
to your prayer.
Offer Him
our prayers and praise and thanksgiving,
Present
our petitions to Him.
Let us
live like you in the love of your Son
So that
His kingdom may come.
Lead all
to the source of living water
that flows from His heart,
Spreading
over the world hope and salvation,
justice and peace.
See our
trust in you; answer our prayer.
Show
yourself always our mother.
Amen. |
