June - the month of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The month of June is very significant for us SMGs. On 9th June, we recall the anniversary of the death of Venerable Mother Magdalen, and, where possible we marked it in a memorable way. We had intended having the Papal Nuncio in Maryfield to celebrate Mass on the Anniversary, but due other commitments, he was unable to be with us until 11th June. We have so much to be grateful for in the Charism and values which Mother Magdalen has left us, and these are as relevant today as they were at her death in 1900. She had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart which she passed on to us, her Sisters. She reminded us that if “we wanted to taste the love of Jesus, to know the secrets of His heart, we must go by the gate of charity to others.” This devotion remained with Mother Magdalen until she left this world, as her last words were, “Invoke the Sacred Heart.”

The late Pope Francis, in his encyclical Dilexit Nos reminded us that the “feast of the Sacred Heart sets the tone for the whole month of June.”He stated“that the Sacred Heart is the ultimate symbol of God’s mercy. The Lord is always watching us with mercy. He has a merciful  heart.  If we show our inner wounds, our sins, He always forgives us. Let us go to Jesus!”

In recent times we have heard that the bishops of the United States have voted to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026. The act of consecration will take place on 12th June 2026, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, or possibly the evening before, during the bishops’ spring gathering in Orlando. 

Pius XII, in his encyclical on devotion to the Sacred Heart, wrote that the Heart of Jesus should be regarded as “the source and symbol of unity, salvation, and peace.”We pray that this consecration will bring about a peaceful settlement to the wars and unrest in our world.

Let each of us invoke the Sacred Heart for peace in our hearts, peace in our homes and peace in our world and let us not forget to thank Him for the many blessings He bestows on us each day. Venerable Mother Magdalen’s wish for each of us was that “the heart of Jesus would draw us very close to Himself and… our lives would be full of gratitude.”

 “Let Deo Gratias be ever on your lips.”

Venerable Mother Magdalen