SACRED HEART IN THE FILIPINO FAMILY

SACRED HEART KING OF THE FAMILY

Although not celebrated with much fanfare, the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Philippine is a steady, long-enduring devotion. Just as the statue of the Sacred Heart adorns most churches, it also adorns almost all Filipino homes. Go to a Filipino home and the first thing you see is the Sacred Heart statue or picture prominently displayed.

First Friday devotions are widely observed and Masses are well attended in churches, schools, offices and even shopping malls. In spite of the popularity of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, however, there seems to be little understanding of the true nature of the devotion. This article is an attempt to put it in the context of the family where the devotion truly should begin.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart should begin in the family for two reasons. The first reason is the family has figured prominently in God's plan of salvation since the creation of the world. God is love; He revealed it when He created humans - male and female. It is through the union of the two in marriage that the race of man develops as a community of love.

It is the first community called to announce the Gospel to the human person, bringing all to a progressive education and catechesis to full human and Christian maturity. Through His incarnation the Son of God became human through a family. He grew up in the bosom of Joseph and Mary and thus gave an example of how to live in a family. To show the primacy of family, He worked His first miracle in the context of a wedding at Cana.

The second reason is the primary value that a Filipino places on his family. It is here that the Filipino finds his core value and response. The family is the foundation and central point of a Filipino's behavior and social relationships. It is the source of his personal identity, and emotional and material support. It provides his basic sense of belonging, stability, and security. Thus, if devotion to the Sacred Heart begins in the Filipino family, chances are it will become entrenched as part of its members' spirituality and way of life and will most likely be carried throughout life.

The challenge lies in the renewal of the devotion to the Sacred Heart in the Filipino Catholic families such that it would be meaningful to the modern generation, not just a rehash of the beliefs of the older generation often no longer relevant to the contemporary generation. It practised in the home meaningfully, the devotion to the Sacred Heart may greatly help the Christian family in effectively fighting the pagan elements of traditional religion, secularization, and modernization that are fast spreading in today's confused and contradictory situations.

To combat the individualism and self-centered thinking of the present generation, attitudes that focus on other people's well-being and comfort should be developed. Values should be restructured so that a personal relationship with Jesus becomes the basis of an inspired vision to encounter Jesus in all the members of the family, especially the sick, the disabled, and the suffering. A new way of life must be inculturated and incorporated into the lives of families. This can be done in the active centering on the unconditional and merciful love of Jesus in the Sacred Heart.

Practices centered on the family begin with the enthronement of the Sacred Heart and the home and consecration of the family to it. The adoption of Jesus as King of the home redirects the aims of the lives of the members of the family. They will make the Sacred Heart King and center of all their desires, thoughts, speech and activities. Since the love of the Sacred heart dominates their lives, their hearts will be purified from incompatible cultural habits and they will become authentic Christians.

As a corollary, another excellent practice would be to recite the daily Morning Offering upon awakening in order to offer one's day - all thoughts, words, and actions-through the Immaculate Heart of Mary - in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the intentions of the Sacred Heart, as well as those of the Holy Father.

Reparation for all the outrages and crimes committed against Jesus in His Most Sacred Heart is done not only in prayer and the First Friday devotions, but more importantly through a friendly, interactive and loving relationship with other people of our families, communities, and parishes. The updated meaning of reparation also includes concern for the poor and abandoned members of our society, justice for the less fortunate members of our community, and care for our environment.

In these meaningful ways, the aim of the Devotion which is a Consecration, Offering, and Reparation will be promoted and modified in a contemporary, modern family setting. As our late Holy Father John Paul II said, this love of the Sacred Heart renewed in our families will bring about a "civilization of love" in our world.


Angelita P. Makalinao
The Messenger of Divine Love
April-June 2008
Volume II Number 4

FIND A WAY TO MY SACRED HEART

[Proceed to bottom page bar and press the right scan button
in the media player to play Find A Way To My Heart]

Singing songs of praise is an alternative and rhythmical form of praising and worshiping God. There are quite a few outstanding songs of praise pertaining to the Sacred Heart but did you know that there is this modern upbeat inspirational song titled "Find A Way To My Heart" that was recorded in 1989 and performed by a popular singer and consistent hit maker Phil Collins.

"Find A Way To My Heart" is featured as the 12th and final track of his 1989 album, Phil Collins ...But Seriously. The subtle but powerful message of this spiritual song conveys an intimate invitation for the listener to seek the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, with the ultimate reward being His Divine Guidance and the fulfillment of His Twelve Promises in one's journey towards a meaningful life.

Listening intently on the meaningful lyrics with the rhythmical melodies combined with powerful percussive instrumental arrangements, it is a spiritual song of praise and consistent affirmation of the promise of commitment of His Supreme Love and Divine Mercy that the Sacred Heart has reserved for those who choose to seek and know Him; with a modern pop-music format interpretation relevant to the times. Clearly, the song's inspirational message of truth is to "Seek first God's Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

FIND A WAY TO MY HEART

Find a way to My Heart,
And I will always be with you.
From wherever you are, I'll be waiting.
I'll keep a place in My Heart,
You will see it shining through.
So find a way to My Heart,
And I will, I will follow you.

This journey's not easy for you, I know.
If your footsteps get to faint to hear, I'll go.
Cause you know, questions are never that easy
And never the same.
Will you have the answer? Believe me,
If you have the faith.

Find a way to My Heart,
And I will always be with you.
From wherever you are, I'll be waiting.
I'll keep a place in My Heart,
You will see it shining through.
So find a way to My Heart,
And I will, I will follow you.

Time may come and time may go, I know.
And if you should call out for me, I'll go.
But you know, there is a code to be broken.
I wrap it around.
Without a word being spoken,
Without a sound.

There's a reason I hide My Heart.
Out of sight, out of mind.
And when I find out just who you are.
The door will be open for you to

Find a way to My Heart,
And I will always be with you.
From wherever you are, I'll be waiting.
I'll keep a place in My Heart,
You will see it shining through.
So find a way to My Heart,
And I will, I will follow you.

Find a way to My Heart,
And I will always be with you.
From wherever you are, I'll be waiting.
I'll keep a place in My Heart,
You will see it shining through.
So find a way to My Heart,
And I will, I will follow you.

Performed by Phil Collins
From his album PHIL COLLINS, BUT SERIOUSLY
Produced by Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham

IMAGE OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Click on photo to enlarge and save, then print on color printer
for a clear copy of this Image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is THE FIRST CATHOLIC DEVOTION SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED AND ESTABLISHED BY JESUS CHRIST, HIMSELF through His explicit instructions with the now famous "12 PROMISES" in two years of revelations to the French Nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

These were compiled in a book written by Father John Croiset, S. J. which was published one year after her death in 1691. Their authenticity has been officially acknowledged by the Church, which strongly supports and encourages the practice of the Devotion.

Our Lord made the request, because of His ardent desire to be known, loved, honored and adored by all Catholics and to establish His reign in the hearts of all through our Consecration to the Devotion and love of His Sacred Heart.

A true love of Jesus Christ, special respect and the veneration for the Blessed Sacrament are the hallmarks of the Devotion and all its exercises. This Devotion is so pleasing to Jesus Christ that He can refuse nothing to those who practice it. He made this promise to St. Margaret Mary, whom He used to propagate it.

12 PROMISES OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

THE 12 PROMISES OF THE SACRED HEART 

Every First Friday of each month, devout and faithful Catholics consecrate to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the spirit of reparation. Jesus Himself made the following promises to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in favor of those who fervently practice and promote this devotion.

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

4. I will be their security and refuge during life, and above all, in death.

5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.

6. Sinners will find in My Heart the source, and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.

9. I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart.

12. I promise you in the excess mercy of My Heart, that My all powerful Love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

"And He showed me that it was His great desire of being loved by men and of withdrawing them from the path of ruin into which Satan hurls such crowds of them, that made Him form the design of manifesting His Heart to men, with all the treasures of love, of mercy, of grace, of sanctification and salvation which it contains, in order that those who desire to render Him and procure for Him all the honor and love possible, might themselves be abundantly enriched with those divine treasures of which this Heart is the source.

He should be honored under the figure of this Heart of Flesh and its image should be exposed. He promised me that wherever this image should be exposed with a view to showing it special honor, He would pour forth His blessings and graces. This devotion was the last effort of His love that He would grant to men in these latter ages, in order to withdraw them from the empire of Satan which He desired to destroy, and thus to introduce them into the sweet liberty of the rule of His love, which He wished to restore in the hearts of all those who should embrace this devotion."

ST. MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE