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Devotion to the Sacred Heart
http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Sacred_Heart/Sacred_Heart_014.htm ^ | unknown | Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

Posted on 09/26/2011 4:57:40 AM PDT by stfassisi

Devotion to the Sacred Heart

by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is as old as Christianity. When the side of Christ was pierced on Calvary, there immediately flowed out blood and water. The Church has interpreted this to mean the outpouring of grace through the Church, which began the moment that Christ expired on the Cross.

Over the centuries, the gratitude of the faithful for this manifestation of divine love has centered on the physical Heart of Jesus as the symbol of God’s love for man. We may therefore say that devotion to the Sacred Heart is really devotion to the love of God as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.

When God became man, it was God - who is love - who became man. In the languages of all nations, the heart is identified with love. Consequently our devotion to the Heart of Jesus is directed to the love of Jesus in different ways.

To be emphasized is the unique character of devotion to the Sacred Heart. It is nothing less than a synthesis of Catholic Christianity in its loving response to the unspeakable love of God for the sons and daughters of the human family.

For the sake of convenience, we may divide the terms “Sacred Heart” and “Devotion” into two parts.

A simple but very effective way of growing in devotion to the Sacred Heart is to recite daily the morning offering of the Apostleship of Prayer:

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Among the promises made by our Lord to St. Margaret Mary was the assurance that, “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be blotted out.”

One of my hopes for the readers of Challenge magazine is that they will become zealous promoters of devotion to the Sacred Heart in a world that is starving for the love of God.


TOPICS: Catholic
KEYWORDS: sacredheart; stmargaretmary
Among the promises made by our Lord to St. Margaret Mary was the assurance that, “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be blotted out.”
1 posted on 09/26/2011 4:57:44 AM PDT by stfassisi
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To: FatherofFive; Judith Anne; Cronos; kosta50; Kolokotronis; wagglebee; dsc; Deo volente; MarkBsnr; ...
Devotion stands for our grateful return of love for love, which is shown in loving sacrifice by the total surrender of our wills to the mysterious and demanding will of God; in loving imitation of Jesus Christ, whose virtues as man are so many manifestations of His divine attributes as God
2 posted on 09/26/2011 5:00:27 AM PDT by stfassisi ((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
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To: stfassisi

BUMP


3 posted on 09/26/2011 5:14:25 AM PDT by kitkat (Obama, rope and chains)
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To: stfassisi

Bump


4 posted on 09/26/2011 5:48:23 AM PDT by MI
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To: stfassisi

Bump


5 posted on 09/26/2011 5:48:26 AM PDT by MI
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To: stfassisi

I went to Catholic school for 12 years and I still can’t tell you what “Sacred Heart” means. Or Immaculate Heart.” Or “Sanctifying Grace.” I always just thought these were made up words. But I respect those who believe. I really do. It just never connected with me.


6 posted on 09/26/2011 6:02:08 AM PDT by ExtremeUnction
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To: stfassisi
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Who are you talking about??? It certainly can't be the Jesus of the Bible...Jesus said,

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the way, not his mother...And he said,

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus did not say, Come unto my mother...

Among the promises made by our Lord to St. Margaret Mary was the assurance that, “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be blotted out.”

Which Lord??? The Lord God nor the Lord Jesus nor the Lord Holy Spirit ever said anything like that...What Lord are you referring to, Mary???

Did this John Hardon ever read the scriptures???

7 posted on 09/26/2011 6:05:59 AM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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To: Iscool

Your wish is my command:
from http://hardonsj.org/biography

Biography

Prepared by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell

John Anthony Hardon was born on June 18, 1914 in Midland, Pennsylvania, USA, into a devout Catholic family. When Hardon was just one year old, his father John, aged 27 years, died in an accident. He was killed instantly by falling from a scaffold on which he was standing to perform an act of charity for a co-worker. Hardon’s mother Anna (Jevin), aged 26 years, supported the family by working as a cleaning woman, working nights in order to supplement the small recompense she received for her husband’s death. Hardon’s mother maintained this work throughout her life, and never remarried, out of concern for the influence a possible stepfather might have on her son’s vocation.

Hardon’s childhood was happy and devout. His mother attended daily Mass and received Holy Communion throughout her life. His childhood home had sacred pictures, a family holy water font, and a good deal of spiritual conversation. Hardon’s mother took in two female Lutheran borders to supplement the family income. Both borders had a very positive relationship with the family, and attended Father Hardon’s first Mass after his ordination.

John Anthony received the sacrament of Holy Communion at age six. Hardon commented on this event, and its impact upon his vocation, in his Spiritual Autobiography:

The most noticeable event of my childhood was my reception of First Holy Communion at the age of six. Sr. Benedicta, a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame who prepared us for our first Holy Communion, told us, “Whatever you ask Our Lord on your First Communion day, you will receive.” When I returned to my pew after Communion, I immediately asked our Lord, “Make me a priest.” I had only the faintest idea what I was saying, but I never forgot what sister had told us to do. When I was ordained twenty-six years later, my first sentiment was to thank Our Lord for hearing my prayers[1].

Hardon received the sacrament of Confirmation at the age of eight, asking on this occasion for the Holy Spirit to give him “the grace of martyrdom.”[2] As he commented in his Spiritual Autobiography about this mysterious grace:

Over the years, I should never forget the mysterious ways that our Lord has given me the privilege of professing my faith at no matter what price to my preference. Over the years, I have never tired telling people that Confirmation prepares them to live a martyr’s life, if it is God’s will to die a martyr’s death.[3]

John Anthony began his grammar school education at St. Wendelin School in Cleveland, Ohio, walking two miles each way from home to school and back. After his third year in grammar school, Hardon and his mother moved to St. Michael’s Parish. Hardon excelled in academics, and consistently placed at the top of his class. It was also during these days of Catholic grammar school that Hardon formed his intention to become a priest.

In his high school years, Hardon applied and was admitted to Cathedral Latin, a Catholic high school located 15 miles from his home. Taught by the Brothers of Mary, Hardon was confirmed in his Catholic faith during these years. Hardon studied the role of the Bishop of Rome as Vicar of Christ, a subject which laid the groundwork for his future doctoral dissertation. He also fostered a devotion to the Blessed Mother, and the traditions of opening and closing each class with a prayer, a tradition which he continued throughout his own teaching career.

As Hardon completed high school, the thought of a priestly vocation continued to grow. Unwilling to leave his widowed mother alone, however, Hardon decided against the seminary directly after high school. With the help of savings his mother had put aside specifically for his future, Hardon enrolled in John Carroll University. He rode the streetcar to and from school each day, a distance of three to four hours daily. The distance, and his mother’s financial sacrifice to send him to University, brought Hardon to appreciate both his faith and education at a much deeper level.

In his first two years at John Carroll University, Hardon pursued studies in science, with the intention of becoming a medical doctor. However under the guidance of his priestly advisor, Hardon began, in his third year of studies, to discern more clearly his own call to the priesthood. As he moved interiorly toward a priestly vocation, Hardon changed his course of studies to include Latin, philosophy, and college theology. Hardon was instinctively attracted to the religious life, through the example of his Jesuit teachers, and began reading the lives of St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Both the academic rigor of the Society of Jesus, and their special fidelity to the Holy Father, attracted Hardon to the Jesuits.

It was in his senior year that Hardon also weighed the possibility of becoming engaged to a grammar school friend, with whom he had kept in contact throughout his college years. While the young lady was bright, friendly, and faith-filled, Hardon decided that his calling was to the priesthood in the Society of Jesus. He broke the news to her at dinner on Sunday evening before entering the novitiate. Her tears at this news, however, did not deter Hardon in his vocation and the young lady went on to become happily married with a family and several children.

With his mother’s blessing, Hardon was now free to follow his priestly vocation. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from John Carroll University in 1936, and entered the Jesuit novitiate that same year. He later commented about his vocational decision, “Over the years since that decision, with God’s grace, I had never once doubted that what I was doing was consistent with the Divine Will. … A vocation to the priesthood is a special call from God that nothing, and I mean nothing, should raise a doubt whether to answer the call or not.”[4] On the eighth day after his entrance into the novitiate, Hardon’s acceptance to the Order was confirmed by the tradition of finding a Jesuit cassock on his bed for him to wear. In his enthusiasm about being accepted into the Order, Hardon spontaneously kissed the cassock. He continued this tradition everyday throughout his priestly life.

During his formative years with the Jesuits, he obtained a Master’s degree in philosophy at Loyola University in Chicago in 1941. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 18, 1947, his 33rd birthday. Reflecting on the grace of his ordination and the pastoral mission which lay ahead, Hardon writes,

After being ordained to the priesthood in 1947, I still had several years of preparation for my final ministry. Unexpectedly, I was told that my vocation would be to prepare men to train priests. Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate what this would mean. It would mean long preparation in understanding the Catholic faith, and I mean understanding the Catholic faith. Not only that, but the price that had to be paid in defending what had become the most trying century of Catholic Christianity.[5]

After his ordination, Fr. Hardon was sent for two years of special doctoral studies in theology to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Hardon was appointed director of the graduate library as well. He suffered greatly when asked by his superior to personally retrieve all of the heretical volumes which had been borrowed by graduate students. Hardon writes, “Before I had retrieved one-half of the heretical books, I had become the agent of orthodoxy and therefore the sworn enemy of the modernists, who were updating the Catholic faith to its modernist theology. I had doors slammed in my face. I lost friends whom I had considered believers,”[6] he grieved. He further comments:

The lessons I learned were invaluable. … It taught me that the faith I had so casually learned could be preserved only by the price of a living martyrdom. This faith, I was to find out, is a precious treasure that cannot be preserved except at a heavy price. The price is nothing less than to confess what so many others either openly or covertly denied.”[7]

Father Hardon received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Gregorian University in 1951, with a dissertation entitled, A Comparative Study of Bellarmine’s Doctrine on the Relation of Sincere Non-Catholics to the Catholic Church. He later commented, “I could not have chosen a better subject in preparation for a lifetime of teaching Catholic doctrine.”[8] He pronounced his final vows in the Society of Jesus on February 2, 1953, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Fr. Hardon then began an illustrious teaching career, spanning both centuries and continents. He served as an associate professor of Fundamental Theology at West Baden College, Indiana, from 1951-62, and as an associate professor of Religion at Western Michigan University from 1962-67. Hardon was then sent to teach as a professor of Fundamental Theology at Bellarmine School of Theology, in North Aurora, Illinois, and Chicago from 1968-73. In 1973, he became a research professor at the Jesuit School of Theology in North Aurora. From 1974-88, he taught as a professor of Advanced Studies in Catholic doctrine at St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York, and served as a visiting professor of Comparative Religion at St. Paul University, in Ottawa, Canada, from 1968-74. Fr. Hardon also taught as professor at the Notre Dame Institute, a Pontifical catechetical institute, in Virginia, from 1981-90.

In all of these years, Fr. Hardon never wavered in his orthodoxy and loyalty to the teaching of the Magisterium. As he noted about his teaching years in his Spiritual Autobiography:

All these years of remaining faithful to the Catholic Church in spite of widespread opposition to what I believed, these were the years when I learned clearly and deeply that to remain a bonafide Catholic teacher of Catholic Doctrine was, honestly, the most demanding enterprise of my whole life.[9]

Throughout his life, Fr. Hardon was a confessor and spiritual director, offering with tireless generosity to those who sought it. He became the Vice President of the Institute on Religious Life, and a director of countless retreats for priests and religious. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Catholic Voice of America, Inc. In his widespread work in pastoral care, Fr. Hardon’s emphasis was on the importance of prayer. As he noted, “I doubt if there is any element in man’s relationship with God that is more important than prayer.”[10]

Fr. Hardon also dedicated himself to the apostolate of writing. This call to teach and evangelize through the written word was felt strongly by Hardon from a young age.

With God’s grace, I had been motivated since my young years to write for publication. … The single strongest motive in my priestly life has been to put ideas on paper and make them available to potential readers. I can honestly say the underlying motive for doing so much writing has been to reach as many souls as possible.[11]

Among the dozens of books authored by Fr. Hardon on the topics of religion and theology, his most defining works include his authorship of The Catholic Catechism (1975). This work stands as a significant contribution to Catholic orthodoxy, written at the request of His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, with whom Fr. Hardon had a close working relationship. Fr. Hardon also wrote the Modern Catholic Dictionary (1980), a detailed Catholic reference dictionary. He served as the executive editor of The Catholic Faith magazine, editor of Gospel Witness, and a contributing editor of Challenge magazine, London and Canada. Fr. Hardon also served as a consultant for the drafting of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, edited by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) and promulgated by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II in 1992.

Fr. Hardon’s catechetical mission expanded with the catechetical study program, which he wrote for the Holy See after Pope John Paul II requested Mother Teresa to educate her Missionaries of Charity to become catechists. This catechetical course, studied by the Missionaries of Charity worldwide in their formation, has been adapted into home-study courses for the laity, entitled the Basic Course (16 lessons) and the Advanced Course (36 lessons). These course serve as the formation program for the Marian Catechetical Apostolate, founded by Fr. Hardon in 1985 in order to train the laity to become catechists and evangelists in the modern world. This apostolate was directed by Fr. Hardon until his death and is now headed by International Director Cardinal Raymond L. Burke.

In 1995, at age 81, Fr. Hardon inaugurated a series of full-semester courses by teleconference, published in albums of twelve audiocassettes on a variety of topics including Angels and Demons, The Blessed Sacrament, The Sacraments and the Marian Catechist, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, The Profession of the Roman Catholic Faith, Catholic Sexual Morality: A Challenge—A Solution, The Truth Crusades Series I, II and III and the Ten Commandments. This work in the audio field broadened Fr. Hardon’s ability to reach people with the Gospel message through the use of mass media communications. The importance of the mass media continued to be a force of Fr. Hardon’s teaching and apostolates. Both the Marian Catechists Apostolate and the Fr. John A. Hardon S.J., Media Apostolate (founded posthumously at Fr. Hardon’s request) focus on bringing the faith to the modern world through the means of mass media communication.

Throughout his life, Fr. Hardon was recognized for his heroic efforts to teach and to preach the truth “in and out of season.” He was the recipient of the Papal Medal in 1951. He was honored for his outstanding work in the field of history by the Catholic Press Association in 1973. In 1978 he received a medal from the Slovak World Congress. In 1984 he received the Cardinal Wright Award from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars. He was honored with the St. Maximilian Kolbe Award in Mariology in 1990. Fr. Hardon also was a member of the Catholic Truth Society, the Society for Religious Vocations, the International Association of Mission Studies, and the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars.

Fr. John Hardon passed into eternity on December 30, 2000 at the Columbiere Jesuit House in Clarkston, Michigan. Efforts are in progress for the creation of a permanent archive and study center on the life and work of Fr. Hardon at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Archive and Guild is temporarily located in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a work for the cause of the beatification and canonization of the Servant of God, Fr. John Anthony Hardon S.J.

Yes, John Hardon read the scriptures.


8 posted on 09/26/2011 6:38:18 AM PDT by sayuncledave (A cruce salus)
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To: sayuncledave
Yes, John Hardon read the scriptures.

I didn't see that in there...Looks like he studied everything Catholic except the scriptures...

And to attribute the previous post to something Jesus said when Jesus didn't say it doesn't help your cause...

9 posted on 09/26/2011 7:08:35 AM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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To: Iscool

Iscool, I am a literalist. You asked a question, and I endeavored to answer it for you. That’s just how I am. Suit yourself, if you didn’t care for it.


10 posted on 09/26/2011 7:38:18 AM PDT by sayuncledave (A cruce salus)
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To: stfassisi
 
 

"Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."

- Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary

Our Lord also made 12 promises to St. Margaret Mary for those that are devoted to His Sacred Heart.

  1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
  2. I will give peace in their families.
  3. I will console them in all their troubles.
  4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
  5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
  6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
  7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
  8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
  9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
  10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
  11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
  12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart
June and the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Do not be afraid to be pious
Only for Love: The Sacred Heart and the Priesthood [Catholic Caucus]

Catholic Word of the Day: LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART, 10-19-09
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Devotion to the Sacred Heart Today
The Biblical Foundation of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus [Ecumenical]
Heart to Heart (Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion) [St. Margaret Mary Alacoque]
(June) The Month of the Sacred Heart {Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus [St. Margaret Mary Alacoque]
The Heart of the World (On the Sacred Heart of Jesus) (Catholic Caucus)
The Sacred Heart Is The Holy Eucharist(Catholic Caucus)
The Origin of the Sacred Heart Badge

Importance of Devotion to the Sacred Heart
An Awesome Homily on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Father Edmond Kline
Catholic Prayer and Devotion: June the Month of the Sacred Heart
Catholic Devotions: Sacred Heart of Jesus
Pope Urges Jesuits to Spread Sacred Heart Devotion
Homilies preached by Father Altier on the Feast of the Sacred Heart
Catholic Meditation and Devotion: The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Daily Recomendation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus powerful prayer!
The Sacred Heart and the Eucharist
The Love of the Sacred Heart

On the Sacred Heart - "We Adore God's Love of Humanity"
HAURIETIS AQUAS (On Devotion To The Sacred Heart) - Encyclical by Pope Pius XII
Solemnity Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sacred Heart a Feast of God's Love, Says John Paul II
The Sacred Heart of Jesus: Symbol of Combativity and the Restoration of Christendom
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus-The Early Church, Middle Ages up to St. Margaret Mary
See this Heart
‘God Will Act and Will Reign’
About Devotion To The Sacred Heart:The Story Of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
Rediscover Feast of Sacred Heart, John Paul II Tells Youth

11 posted on 09/26/2011 2:32:12 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: stfassisi

Sacred Heart ping!


12 posted on 06/06/2013 11:49:38 AM PDT by diamond6 (Behold this Heart which has so loved men!" Jesus to St. Margaret Mary)
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To: stfassisi

http://www.dailycatholic.org/2005pro.htm

Explanation of the promises of the Sacred Heart. Hit refresh if there is a blank page.


13 posted on 06/06/2013 11:51:04 AM PDT by diamond6 (Behold this Heart which has so loved men!" Jesus to St. Margaret Mary)
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To: diamond6

Thanks, dear sister.


14 posted on 06/07/2013 4:40:55 PM PDT by stfassisi ((The greatst gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
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