Dear Parishioners,
Just a couple of days ago, I celebrated Mass with our students one last time before they began their summer vacations. I reminded them that, within our Catholic tradition, each month of the year is dedicated to a particular devotion, often corresponding to a feast celebrated during that month. For example, October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary because the Church celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary on the seventh. March is another example, as it is dedicated to St. Joseph, whose principal feast is celebrated on the nineteenth.
I also shared with the students how beautiful it is that we begin our school year in a month dedicated to Mary and conclude it in a month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is fitting, because one of my deepest hopes for our students at Nativity is that they come to know and love the Heart of Jesus more fully – and Mary will always lead us there. She shows us the way of discipleship and gently forms our hearts to imitate her own Immaculate Heart in love and devotion to her Son. As a traditional offertory hymn for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ beautifully expresses: “Had I but Mary’s sinless heart to love Thee with, my dearest King! O with what bursts of fervent praise Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!”
Friends, on this very special weekend in which we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, I invite you to join me in renewing your devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by praying this consecration prayer written by St. Margaret Mary:
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring, and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee.
Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee. I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Bill Duffert