As the Catholic Church dedicates June to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Francis Leo, has invited all faithful to deepen their reflection on Christ’s boundless love and sacrifice.
Newsroom (June 02, 2025, 08:07, Gaudium Press) The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, observed this year on June 27, serves as a focal point for a month-long spiritual journey rooted in hope, love, and redemption.
In his pastoral message, the Archbishop emphasized that the Sacred Heart symbolizes not only Christ’s physical heart but His entire interior life—His will, emotions, and infinite love for humanity. “This devotion reminds us that Christ’s love motivated His Incarnation, Passion, and ultimate sacrifice on the Cross,” he stated, referencing Pope Francis’ encyclical Dilexit Nos.
A Symbol of Hope in Turbulent Times
Amid life’s challenges, the Sacred Heart stands as a wellspring of hope, anchoring believers in God’s love. The Archbishop highlighted Pope Francis’ words from Spes non Confundit: “Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the Cross.” This hope, he explained, is not passive but directs the faithful toward eternal union with God.
The Eucharist, he noted, offers a foretaste of this divine union, with Christ Himself embodying hope incarnate. “In Jesus, God and humanity are united, revealing the fulfillment of our deepest longing,” the Archbishop said.
The Personal Love of God
Reflecting on the Sacred Heart, the Archbishop stressed that God is not a distant figure but a loving Father deeply involved in human lives. “He is not an impersonal force but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God who knows, listens, and saves,” he said. The Sacred Heart, therefore, calls Catholics to reject false idols and worldly substitutes, recognizing that only God deserves their full devotion.
“Jesus’ Heart reminds us that He cares about our thoughts, choices, and struggles,” the Archbishop affirmed. “He loves us, guides us, and will never abandon us.”
A Call to Renewal and Faithful Witness
The Archbishop urged Catholics to prominently display the image of the Sacred Heart in homes, parishes, and institutions, calling it the ultimate symbol of human dignity, sacrificial love, and the ugliness of sin. He cautioned against adopting secular symbols that distort Catholic teaching, emphasizing the importance of authentic tradition.
“Our symbols must reflect our faith clearly, without ambiguity,” he said. “They are bridges between the material and spiritual, guiding us in truth.”
“Symbols are important as they convey meanings in what they represent, and they point beyond their own reality to something else, someone else. Our very own Catholic symbols help us to deepen our faith and shape our prayer life, not to mention the lives we lead and the choices we make. They are like bridges joining together the material and spiritual worlds, and reveal to us the Gospel truths. They showcase what our values are, what is important to us and how we intend to live our faith. We need to make sure that the symbols we use are consistent with our Catholic faith and not borrowed from ideological fora, promoted by lobby groups and endorsed by political movements. We ought to honour and respect our traditions and not compromise the integrity of the faith by using symbols that are contrary to God’s divine revelation.”
Consecration and Spiritual Growth
As a practical step, the Archbishop encouraged renewing—or making for the first time—a personal consecration to the Sacred Heart. He also recommended studying Pope Francis’ encyclical Dilexit Nos to deepen understanding of this devotion.
Concluding with a prayer, he invoked, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.”
The full text of the Archbishop’s message is available on the Archdiocese of Toronto’s website.
- Raju Hasmukh
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