Aflame with His love, conformed to His image
Bishop Michael Olson kneels before a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus while consecrating the Diocese of Fort Worth to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 21 at Sacred Heart Church in Comanche. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
COMANCHE — Bishop Michael Olson consecrated the Diocese of Fort Worth to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 21 at Sacred Heart Church in Comanche.
Bishop Olson’s consecration of the diocese followed the consecration of the entire nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which they conducted on June 11, as the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States nears. “And in so doing, the bishops of the United States entrusted our nation's history to Christ's mercy; and offered our future to His providence; and placed the present in His wisdom and in His love,” said Bishop Olson in his June 21 homily.
Bishop Olson emphasized that the Sacred Heart expresses “Christ’s divine and human love for all” and invites us to unite our hearts to Christ’s heart. “For Christ wants us to be close to Him, for He has come to be close with us.”
Before the parishioners knelt to recite the bilingual prayer of consecration, he explained, “We consecrate the Diocese of Fort Worth today to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that we might never forget that we are His Church because of His initiative, and we must be His Church on His terms. He has entrusted us with His mission of salvation from sin extended to all people. “
In addition to almost 400 people participating in the Mass, relics of three saints were also present at the Mass: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the French nun and mystic who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; St. Claude de La Columbiere, who served as St. Margaret Mary’s spiritual director; and St. John Eudes, a French priest who began a feast day to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Special occasion
Father Matthew Sanka, SAC, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, said hosting the Mass of Consecration was an honor for the parish, which is located in the southwest reaches of the diocese. He said, “It was a special occasion, and we are grateful for that. It is uplifting for the parishioners, so we are grateful for the choice made.”
The pastor’s gratitude extended to the USCCB. “Even the thought itself, for the bishops of this country celebrating 250 years to consecrate this country, is great for the citizens,” he continued.
At the conclusion of the Mass of Consecration in Comanche, those in attendance gathered for a meal prepared by parishioners. Fr. Sanka said parish hospitality is welcoming and heartfelt. “Our parishioners are very actively involved. To have the community come together like this makes our community stronger and more united,” he explained.
Laura Lopez, a Sacred Heart lector, catechist, and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, said hosting the Mass of Consecration in her home parish was “a privilege that was amazing.”
In her 23 years in the parish, she has seen tremendous growth in membership, a new building, the designation of the church as a Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage site, and now its selection to host the consecration of the diocese to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
She said, “We’re very grateful for that, since we’re little and we’re far away from our bishop.”
About the Sacred Heart
A longstanding and profound symbol within the Church, the Sacred Heart of Jesus represents the “immense love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Devotion to the Sacred Heart focuses on Jesus’ heart, which exemplifies His redemptive suffering for the whole world.
As depicted in art either alone or as the heart within Jesus, Sacred Heart renderings highlight several important symbols. Those include a crown of thorns circling the heart, representing Jesus’ suffering for our sins and love for humanity. Flames emanating from the heart represent Jesus’ loving transformative and purifying power. A cross above the heart represents His redemptive sacrifice for our sins. The wound on the side of the heart represents the wound inflicted on him both by the Roman soldier at the crucifixion and by all humans through their sins.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, though historically longstanding, gained increased attention between 1673 to 1675 through Jesus’ private revelations to St. Margaret Mary. Through several visitations, Jesus revealed His heart to St. Margaret Mary as a symbol of his love for humanity and emphasized the need for people to return that love through devotion and prayer.
In addition to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, which is celebrated on the Friday after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, First Friday Devotions offer a way to pay devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Catholics do so by receiving Communion of the first Friday of each month for nine months as Jesus requested St. Margaret Mary to do.
The First Friday devotion makes reparations for sins against Christ while at the same time bringing participants closer to Him.
Jesus promised St. Margaret Mary that He will grant 12 special graces to those who complete the nine first Fridays. Such graces include the grace necessary for their state of life, the establishment of peace within their families, comfort through their trials, Jesus’ presence as secure refuge during their life and death, abundant blessings upon their undertakings, and more.
Since Pope Pius IX extended the Feast of the Sacred Heart to the universal Church in 1856, subsequent popes have weighed in on its “profound significance” and urged fellow Catholics to embrace devotion to it.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has additional reporting from Matthew Smith.