St Paul singled this out in one of the most beautiful passages ever written in Corinthians (First Epistle) Chapter 13. He says, "And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have enough faith to move the very mountains, and have not love, I am nothing". This most perfect gift breaks down all walls between peoples, even between Heaven and Earth since, lest we forget, God sent His only Son to be sacrificed, "because He so LOVED the world". It was revealed to St Margaret Mary that the Sacred Heart was to be carried with pomp and glory into the palaces of kings and princes, as well as enthroned in the most humble peasant's cottage. It was to be a constant and living reminder of God's love for us and our devotion for Him.
There were many people, in the face of the most terrible situations, who took this principle 'to heart', and applied it to their lives in the present crisis. When the Catholic and Royal Army of the Vendee marched against the republican revolutionaries, every soul carried the badge of the Sacred Heart on their chest. Without regard to circumstance, reason, life or limb, their devotion drove them to the most glorious display of loyalty to their God and their King, the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom for the Church. When the Papal States were conquered by the Piedmontese and Bl. Pope Pius IX was a prisoner in the Vatican, the Jesuits who went forth to recover souls and strengthen the Church to new heights made particular use of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, just as did the Carlistos of Spain and the persecuted Christians of Mexico at the turn of the century.
The greatest promoters of devotion to the Sacred Hearts were St John Eudes, Saint Margaret Mary and Blessed Claude de la Colombiere. Father Mary-Joseph Courdin founded the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in 1793. The symbolism of the images is basically this: the Sacred Heart of Jesus shows us the depth of His love for humanity while the Immaculate Heart of Mary represents her perfect love for God. In the Sacred Heart of Jesus we see the proof for His devotion through the crown of thorns, the cross, the open wound and fires of intensity. In the Immaculate Heart of Mary we see the lilies representing the spotless purity of her soul, they surround her heart as adoring children surround their mother. The sword thrust through the heart symbolizes the sorrow she felt, both as a participant in the crucifixtion as well as her sorrow at the sins of minkind.
A Prayer:
O Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary! truly worthy of possessing all hearts, and of reigning over men and angels. You shall be my models. I will try to imitate You. May my heart live always in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and may their Hearts live in mine, so that I may never do any-thing that is not in accordance with Them!
-Blessed Claude de la Combiere
