*SACRED HEART OF JESUS & IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, the two Inseparable Hearts as Paradigm of God's Love*

*Introduction*

Interestingly, many Catholics are familiar with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with its dramatic imagery stemming from the Passion and Cross, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with its dagger plunging into it, but many Catholics are not aware of the power of the combination of the Hearts. Although the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are mentioned a few times in the Bible, the devotion to the two Hearts arose in the early Church. The holy Fathers, true witnesses of the divinely revealed doctrine, wonderfully understood what St. Paul the Apostle had quite clearly declared; namely; that the mystery of love was, as it were, both the foundation and the culmination of the Incarnation and Redemption. For frequently and clearly, we can read in their writings that Jesus Christ took a perfect human nature and our weak and perishable human body with the object of providing for our eternal salvation, and of revealing to us in the clearest possible manner that His infinite love for us could express itself in human terms. (Hauretis Aquas by Venerable Pope Pius XII, n. 44) Likewise, these same Fathers of the Church often meditated and praised the singular love and faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who so generously offered Herself to God to fulfill His plans for our redemption, and who so steadfastly persevered with Her Son Jesus Christ in His ignominious crucifixion and death. In both these approaches the Fathers of the Church laid the foundation for true devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary by clearly indicating the union of charity which bound them both in the work of redemption.

*Devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Its Origin and History*

_In the Sacred Scripture_

The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are mentioned explicitly only briefly in the text of the New Testament. Nevertheless the many references to the love and compassion of Jesus and Mary, as well as implied references to their Hearts, provide a vivid revelation of the Two Hearts. It is remarkable that the few explicit references all bear upon the work of redemption. Some of the more important references are: "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." (Matthew 11:25) This passage refers to Our Lord's invitation to imitate the dispositions and virtues of His own human Heart, reflecting upon His ineffable humility in becoming man and being born in a stable; His remarkable patience in living a hidden, obscure life for 30 years; His unsurpassed charity in preaching, teaching, working miracles, healing the bodies and souls of believers and unbelievers; His perfect obedience to the Father in enduring without complaint the bitter agony and infamy of death on the Cross. "Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in Her Heart." (Luke 2:19) This passage refers to the visit of the shepherds to the Child Jesus in His crib at Bethlehem. It refers directly to what they reported regarding the heavenly host of Angels that came to announce the birth of the Messiah, and how all marveled at what the shepherds had reported. "His Mother kept all these things carefully in Her Heart." (Luke 2:51b) This passage refers to the events surrounding the loss of Jesus for three days during a visit to Jerusalem, and how Mary and Joseph found Him teaching the doctors of the Mosaic Law in the Temple, to the amazement of all who heard Him. "Your own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2:35) This passage is spoken by the old man Simeon on the occasion of Mary bringing Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer Him to God according to the custom of the Mosaic Law. In it Simeon prophesies that Mary will share in the salvific sufferings of Her Son. "From His Heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38b) This reading is based on the most reliable texts of the Gospel of St. John. It refers directly to the Heart of the Messiah, and recalls the prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:3) And St. John goes on to explain in verse 39, that Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit, which He Himself will give, from His Heart, to those who believe in Him. The reading which is found in most translations - referring to the hearts of believers - is a variant believed to have its source in a textual mistake by Origen, a famous theologian who compiled a multi-lingual edition of the Bible in the 3rd Century, A.D. "One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water." (John 19:34) This passage refers to the piercing of Christ's Heart as He hung in death upon the Cross. The blood and water have always been seen by Roman Catholics to mystically symbolize and effect the origin and the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. It was at the piercing of Christ's Heart in death that Mary's Heart was pierced in spirit, thus fulfilling Luke 2:35 (cf. above), and exemplifying the profound mystical union of the Heart of Jesus with the Heart of Mary in the work of our redemption. This union began when by the power of the Holy Spirit Mary conceived the Heart of Jesus beneath Her own Heart. It is consummated when at one and the same time these Two Hearts are immolated for our salvation. And now in Heaven it continues forever as the sole source of mankind's salvation and sanctification.

Each of these passages are very significant, for they clearly indicate that admirable and significant alliance or union of Hearts, which worked the salvation of the whole world: the Heart of Jesus, which suffered to the point of being pierced so as to pour forth upon all who believe in Him, the grace of the Holy Spirit, which makes them partakers of the Holy Eucharist in the communion of fellowship in the Catholic Church; and the Heart of Mary, always focused on her Divine Son, which was predestined by God to suffer with Him for the salvation of mankind.

_By the Fathers of the Church_

"The holy Fathers, true witnesses of the divinely revealed doctrine, wonderfully understood what St. Paul the Apostle had quite clearly declared; namely; that the mystery of love was, as it were, both the foundation and the culmination of the Incarnation and Redemption. For frequently and clearly we can read in their writings that Jesus Christ took a perfect human nature and our weak and perishable human body with the object of providing for our eternal salvation, and of revealing to us in the clearest possible manner that His infinite love for us could express itself in human terms. (from Hauretis Aquas by Venerable Pope Pius XII, n. 44) Likewise these same Fathers of the Church often meditated and praised the singular love and faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who so generously offered Herself to God to fulfill His plans for our redemption, and who so steadfastly persevered with her Son Jesus Christ in His ignominious crucifixion and death. In both these approaches the Fathers of the Church laid the foundation for true devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary by clearly indicating the union of charity which bound them both in the work of redemption.

_By the Writings of the Saints_

Chief among the saints of the Catholic Church who fostered devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary are St. Bonaventure and St. John Eudes. St. Bonaventure, a Cardinal and Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church, was a learned theologian and Bishop of the Franciscan Order in the 13th Century. He wrote extensive theological works and is considered by the Papal Magisterium to be one of the two primary Doctors of the Catholic Church since the patristic era. St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican Priest and contemporary of St. Bonaventure, is the other. St. Bonaventure's writings on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are scattered throughout all his works, but a passage on the Sacred Heart that is particularly poignant is found in his devotional work, "The Mystical Vine", a description of the Passion of Jesus Christ. This passage is found in the Liturgy of the Hours for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart in June. St. John Eudes (1601-1680), however, is the founder of the modern public devotion to the Two Hearts. It was his mission to organize the scriptural, theological, patristic, and liturgical sources relating to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and to popularize them with the approbation of the Church. His chief writings on this topic were: "The Admirable Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God", "The Admirable Heart of the Mother of God", the "Life and Kingdom of Jesus", "The Sacred Heart of Jesus", "The Admirable Heart of Mary". Included among his works was a Mass and Office for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and one for the Admirable Heart of Mary. He was the first to dedicate churches in the world to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. St. Albert the Great, St. Gertrude, St. Catherine of Siena, Bl. Henry of Suso, St. Peter Canisius, and St. Francis of Sales also did much to propagate and promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and Eckbert of Schonau, who wrote the first extant prayer to the Heart of Mary, St. Mechtild of Hackeborn, St. Gertrude the Great, St. Bernard, St. Herman Joseph, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Bernadine of Siena and St. Francis de Sales also did much to promote devotion to the Heart of Mary. In the Nineteenth Century the Abbe Desgenettes consecrated his parish church, the Notre Dame des Victoires, in Paris, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and founded the Archconfraternity in Her honour. Later Father William Chaminade, founder of the Society of Mary, as well as St. Anthony Mary Claret, the founder of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, did much to promote devotion to Mary's Heart.

_In the Liturgy_

Even before the beginning of private revelations of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in modern times, St. John Eudes had obtained permission from the ecclesiastical authorities to celebrate the Feast of the Heart of Mary liturgically. This was done for the first time at Autun, France, on May 8, 1648 A.D. In 1799 Pope Pius VI permitted Religious Societies in the Archdiocese of Palermo, Sicily, to celebrate a similar feast. In 1805 Pope Pius VII extended this permission to all Religious Societies and Dioceses throughout the world. On July 21, 1855, the Sacred Congregation of Rites approved for the universal Roman Catholic Church an Office and Mass in honour of the Most Pure Heart of Mary. It was Venerable Pope Pius XII who had the joy to institute the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the universal Church in 1945 A.D. St. John Eudes also obtained permission to honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the liturgy. This was done for the first time at the Grand Seminary of Rennes, France, on August 31, 1670 A.D. This liturgical commemoration of the love of the Redeemer began just two years or so before Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alaqoque, asking her to reveal His Heart to the world. These celebrations thus served Divine Providence, for they drew down upon the world a new era of Mercy and Grace. Spurred on the Revelations to St. Margaret the liturgical celebration of the Sacred Heart gradually grew in popularity throughout Europe. At the request of innumerable petitions, in particular that of the entire Polish hierarchy, Pope Clement XIII requested the Sacred Congregation of Rites to examine the devotion. On January 25, 1765 A.D., devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was formally approved. Venerable Pope Pius IX extended the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the entire Catholic Church in 1858 A.D. And Pope Leo XIII approved the litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

_Consecration to the Two Hearts in Papal Teaching_

In 1864 A.D., Cardinal Gousset of Rhiems, supported by Archbishop de la Tour-d'Auvergen of Bourges, Bishop Mermillod and other Bishops of France and Spain petitioned Venerable Pope Pius IX to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Archbishop of Bourges renewed this petition at Vatican I. During the council, Father Pere Henri Ramiere, S.J., the great promoter of the Apostleship of Prayer, presented a request to consecrate the whole Church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This petition was supported by 272 Bishops, but was not acted upon due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war. In 1874 A.D., Cardinal Desprez, the Archbishop of Toulouse, France, wrote to all the Bishops of the world to promote once again the petition of Father Ramiere. By April of 1875 A.D., Father Ramiere was able to present this petition to Venerable Pope Pius IX along with the names of 534 Bishops and 23 superiors general of Religious Institutes. In response to this petition, the Pope had the Sacred Congregation of Rites compose and publish an "Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus" and he himself invited all the faithful to consecrate themselves on the 200th anniversary of Our Lord's apparition to St. Margaret, June 16, 1875 A.D. In 1891 A.D., the Archbishops of Milan and Turin led a movement to consecrate the dioceses of Italy to the Most Holy Heart of Mary. In September, 1898 A.D., the Marian Congress of Turin, at the promptings of Pope Leo XIII, unanimously approved to petition Pope Leo XIII to this effect. On December 12, 1989 the Sacred Congregation of Rites approved a formula for diocesan consecration to the Heart of Mary. After the letters of Mother Mary of the Divine Heart (1863-1899) requesting, in the Name of Christ Himself, that Pope Leo XIII to consecrate the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Father commissions a group of theologians to examine the petition on the basis of revelation and sacred tradition. This investigation was positive. And so in the Encyclical letter, "Annum Sacrum" (May 25, 1899 A.D.), this same Pope decreed that the consecration of the entire human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus should take place on June 11, 1899 A.D. Later Pope Leo XIII encouraged the entire Roman Catholic Episcopate to promote the devotion of the "First Fridays" and he established June as the Month of the Sacred Heart. Pope St. Pius X decreed that the consecration of the human race, performed by Pope Leo XIII be renewed each year. Pope Pius XI in his Encyclical letter, "Miserentissimus" (May 8, 1928 A.D.), reaffirmed the importance of consecration and reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Finally Venerable Pope Pius XII, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Pope Pius IX's institution of the Feast, instructed the entire Catholic Church at length on the devotion to the Sacred Heart in his Encyclical letter, "Haurietis aquas" (May 15, 1956 A. D.) It was Venerable Pope Pius XII who first consecrated the Church and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 31 and again, solemnly on December 8, 1942 A.D. In recent times, moved by millions of petitions and by the occasion of the attempted assassination of his own person on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II consecrated the world and every nation to the Immaculate Heart in 1982, and repeated this act in union with all the Catholic Bishops again in 1983 A.D.

The Power of the Two Hearts of Love of Jesus and Mary*

The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as said already, found its inception with St. John Eudes, who is credited with establishing the devotion to the two Hearts, in the 1600’s.  The devotion received a modern sanction during the preparation for the Miracle of Fatima in 1916. According to Sister Lucia the Angel of Portugal appeared to her, Francisco and Jacinta at Fatima during the summer of 1916. During this apparition the Angel said “Pray, pray very much! The most Holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High. Make of everything you can a sacrifice, and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners…” On his next apparition he (the Angel of Peace) said the following prayer as he placed down before a chalice which he had brought with him. “Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and I offer You the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And through infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.” The heavenly messenger continually mentioned the power of the Two Hearts in their work in the conversion of sinners. The Angel also mentioned the need for the reparation of sins by which God is greatly offended. Meanwhile in Hungary Sr. Maria Natalia received visions and messages from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In one of the apparitions He requested all to pray the Double Great Novena for nine consecutive First Fridays and First Saturdays. Jesus said, “As the Father entrusted all things to Me, so I give My victorious power over the world and sin to the Immaculate Heart of My Mother… Through My daughter (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque), I gave the world great promises, but because of My infinite Goodness, now, I give much more. If people wish to gain the benefits of promises, they must love and venerate the Immaculate Heart of My Mother. The greatest sign of this veneration will be to receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Saturdays, and in the same way, on nine consecutive First Fridays, after preparation and true repentance. Their intention must be to console My Heart and, at the same time, Immaculate Heart of My Mother.”

Catholicism recognizes a “profound mystical union” between the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, which manifests in the work of Redemption. The union is said to have begun when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary conceived the Heart of Jesus beneath her own Heart. It is consummated when at one and the same time these Two Hearts are immolated for our salvation. And now, in Heaven, it continues forever as the sole source of mankind’s salvation and sanctification. The Church also teaches that Biblical passages and previous teachings are significant, as they suggest that the “Admirable union of Hearts” worked toward the salvation of the whole world. The Heart of Jesus suffered to the point of being pierced so as to pour forth upon all who believe in Him the grace of the Spirit, which allows them to partake of the Holy Eucharist in the communion of fellowship in the Catholic Church. The Heart of Mary, which was always focused on her Divine Son, which was predestined by God to suffer for the salvation of mankind. Nowhere is the deep and profound between the two hearts better depicted than in the following prayer; Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, what ineffable power thy Divine Son hath given thee over His Own adorable Heart. Full of trust in thy merits, we come before thee and beg thy protection. O heavenly Treasurer of the Heart of Jesus, that Heart which is the inexhaustible source of all graces, which thou mayest open to us at thy good pleasure, in order that from it may flow forth upon mankind the riches of love and mercy, light and salvation, that are contained therein; grant unto us, we beseech thee, the favours which we seek... We can never, never be refused by thee, and since thou art our Mother, O our Lady of the Sacred Heart, graciously hear our prayers and grant our request; Amen. In this prayer we see the full power of Mary being the ultimate intercessor on our behalf. No power in Heaven is denied to Mary and this prayer shows us how to unlock and access the power of Jesus directly. Mary is a key to the power of Jesus, which is also the power of the Kingdom of God. Mary opens our way to the Kingdom. Moreover, by her own role in Salvation, Mary is the vessel and our conduit to the love and mercy of Our Lord.

*Mary's Heart, the Shortest and Surest Link to Jesus'*

One of the most effective ways to draw closer to the Heart of Jesus is through the Heart of Mary. The Church annually celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and immediately afterwards, the Immaculate Heart of Mary (a day interval). Pope Benedict XVI explained on the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, “The heart that resembles that of Christ more than any other is without a doubt the Heart of Mary, His Immaculate Mother, and for this very reason the liturgy holds them up together for our veneration.” Furthermore, St. Louis de Montfort explained in his book, "True Devotion to Mary", that prayers to Mary are immediately transferred to Jesus. She is an echo of God, speaking and repeating only God. If you say “Mary” she says “God.” When St. Elizabeth praised Mary calling her blessed because she had believed, Mary, the faithful echo of God, responded with her canticle, “My soul glorifies the Lord.” What Mary did on that day, she does every day. When we praise her, when we love and honour her, when we present anything to her, then God is praised, honoured and loved and receives our gift through Mary and in Mary. The 19th-century book, "The Golden Manual", offers a similar correlation when referring to the Heart of Jesus and the Heart of Mary. Let us love and honour these two Hearts, so intimately united; let us go to the Father through the Heart of Jesus; let us go to the Saviour through the Heart of Mary. Let us render to God the Father, through the Heart of Jesus, what we owe to His infinite justice and goodness; and let us render to God the Son, through the Heart of Mary, what we owe to His mercy, and all His benefits to us. We shall obtain every thing from the Father and the Holy Spirit through the Heart of Jesus, and we shall obtain every thing from the Son through the Heart of Mary. The Heart of Mary is so intimately in union with the Heart of Jesus that one cannot be separate from another. If we desire to deepen our love of God, go first to Mary and she will lead us along the surest path to the Heart of her Son.

*The Attentiveness of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in our Supplications*

What a consolation in our devotion that the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are attentive to our prayers and supplications! As Catholics, we are all so very familiar with the images of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart in paintings and statues. We know that in our spirituality and theology, the “heart,” as in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, means the entire person. So, when we hear that the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to our prayers, we realize that these persons so important in our life of faith are listening to us and are very willing to come to our aid. Evidently, in the second statement of the Angel as made to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta in the summer of 1916, the Angel of Peace came to the children and reminded them, “Pray! Pray very much! The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you.” In our relationship with the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart, they call us to redouble our efforts to pray. Certainly, the Sacred Heart, Our Lord, calls us to adore Him in our prayer. He calls us, as well, to make reparation for the sins and offenses committed especially against the Blessed Sacrament. The Immaculate Heart of Mary, as Mother of God and Mother of us all, calls us to pray to deepen our relationship with her Divine Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. We call to mind the words that Simeon said to Our Lady as she presented Jesus in the Temple, “and your own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35). This tells us that the role of Our Lady in God’s plan of salvation is to be intimately united with Jesus in His Passion and Death. Further, this leads us to gain insight into Our Lady’s standing at the foot of her Son’s Cross. She is no passive spectator, simply swooning in grief. She is lovingly united with this great act of redemptive love played by her Son. In the end, there is a union between the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart. The proximity of the Feast of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary underlines this intimate union.

*Conclusion*

Obviously, the importance of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary can't be overemphasized or underestimated. First, we remember that our relationship with them is founded in love. The image of the “heart” is the sign of love for us. The Sacred Heart speaks to us of the love of God. The Immaculate Heart of Mary demonstrates for us the tenderness of the maternal love of the woman chosen to be the Mother of God Himself, the Mother of the Incarnate Word, and our Mother. We see in the Immaculate Heart an intercessor who, as our Mother, protects us and draws us to the Heart of Jesus. Second, we recognize that we, as members of Christ’s Body, the Church, are called to respond to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. We are invited to turn to them in prayer with great confidence. We should offer our prayer and sacrifice in reparation for those who do not love as they ought. We must share our love for the Hearts of Jesus and Mary with others so that they, too, will know they are loved. We believe that as we persevere in prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we are able in union with them to transform a culture of death into a culture of life and a world of violence and hatred into a civilization of love. By the love and mercy that comes to us through the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, we are compelled to reach out to others in love.

As we celebrate the Feasts of the Two Hearts of Love (the union of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart), we hear the words of the Angel of Peace resounding in our own hearts, “Pray! Pray very much! The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you!” The Two Hearts of Love of Jesus and Mary shall reign in and through us all.

- Very Rev. Fr. Affusim, Matthew-Mary Chizoba SHL (Superior General)

"Two Hearts of Love Feast Day, 18th June 2023".