The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

That's St Ignatius on the left and I've actually forgotten the Jesuit saint on the right. I would think it ought to be St Margaret Mary's confessor, St Claude de la Columbiere but I don't think it is. I'm about, say, 75% sure it's St John Berchmans.

The good old Catholic Encyclopædia has a wonderful little treatise on devotion to Our Lord's Sacred Heart here. An excellent remedy for the notion that the devotion is just an overblown exercize in sentmentality. If you've the time, follow it up with the Venerable Pope Pius XII's encyclical Haurietis Aquas

Here is Leo XIII's "Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus" that we used to pray every First Friday and on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. It's not much used any more. The last I heard it used publicly was at First Friday devotions at St Basil's on Wilshire in Los Angeles when Msgr Benjamin Hawkes was still parish priest.

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before Thine altar.

We are Thine and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart.

Many, indeed, have never known Thee; many, too, despising thy precepts, have rejected Thee.

Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there maybe but one flock and one Shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry and Islamism, and refuse not to draw them all into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy toward the children of that race, once Thy chosen people. Of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and life.

Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation: to It be glory and honour foreverl Amen.