Catholic Tower

Mary, form me to see and to serve the needs of others.

Just as we might view the birth of Jesus as the arrival of God’s love and light into a world grown cold and dark through sin, so we might view the growth of the devotion to the Sacred Heart as a response to the world grown cold though the religious confusion and a popular heresy of the time. – Fr. Donald Miller, OFM (1945-2017)

Kommet alle zu mir - die Ihr mühselig und beladen seid! Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened . . . Matthew 11, 28 O Heart of Jesus, Heart of God Hymn 1. O Heart of Jesus, Heart of God, O source of boundless love; By angels praised, by saints adored From their bright thrones above. The poorest, saddest heart on earth May claim Thee for its own; O burning, throbbing Heart of Christ, Too late, too little known. 2. The heart’s of men are often hard And full of selfish care; But in the Sacred Heart we find A refuge from despair. To Thee, my Jesus, then I come, A poor and helpless child; And on Thine own words "Come to Me," My only hope I build. 3. The world is cold, and life is sad, I crave this blessed rest Of those who lay their weary heads Upon Thy sacred Breast. For love is stronger far than death, And who can love like Thee, My Saviour, Whose appealing Heart Broke on the Cross for me? ~ Lady Georgina C. Fullerton (1812 - 1885) The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book (1920)

St. Joseph, our protector, pray for us. Invocation St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. 100 days, once a day. Leo XII, December 19, 1881. (The Raccolta, 1910)

But I say unto you, that none of those men that were invited, shall taste of my supper. Luke 14, 24 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ SUNDAY within the Octave of CORPUS CHRISTI Which is the SECOND after PENTECOST GRANT us, O Lord, an abiding fear and love of Thy holy name; for Thou never frailest to govern those whom Thou dost firmly establish in Thy love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ SANCTI nóminis tui, Dómine, timórem páriter et amórem fac nos habére perpétuum: quia numquam tua gubernatióne destítuis, quos in soliditáte tuæ dilectiónis instítuis. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesus Christum fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. Collect, Second Sunday after Pentecost ~ The New Roman Missal, 1937 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧

JESUS has given us His Heart, with the Cross, the Thorns, the Wound, and the Flames, in order that we might give Him ours, without reserve or division, and strive to love as He loves. ~ Father Alexis LeFebvre, Revelations or Effusions of the Heart of Jesus (1869)

2 of 2 Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 2nd The servant of God was moreover able to obtain the book, correct it and give it her sanction. It was not, however, without great resistance on the part of her two companions, who constantly refused to allow her to see it from fear of causing her pain. Our Lord had once more to interfere, and He reassured St. Mechtilde, saying to her: “Fear not, all comes from Me, all is My work. I gave thee the gift, and as it comes from Me, it is also just as truly by My inspiration that thy companions have undertaken and carried on this work. So, fear not and be not alarmed, I will Myself preserve this book from all error. Every word that has been written has been dictated by the Holy Spirit, and all are as pearls that shall adorn their crown in My eyes eternally.” From this time the two friends, reassured by this vision, showed the book to St. Mechtilde whenever she wished it, or they read it to her faithfully. In doubtful passages the Saint consulted our Lord, and so He corrected it Himself. After St. Mechtilde’s death St. Gertrude saw her in glory, and asked if she were pleased or otherwise with the publication of this book. “It is my greatest joy,” she replied. “I see it will contribute to the glory of God, to the fulfilment of His will, and to my neighbours good. The book shall also be named The Light of the Church. They who read it shall recognize themselves in the brightness of the light. They will see by what spirit they are animated. The sorrowful shall find in it consolation.” The Saint compared the readers of this book to those who should receive a present from a King through a messenger. They would possess and reap as much benefit as if they had received the gift direct from the King’s hand (vii. 17). Such was the origin of the Book of Special Grace. It would be impossible to tell the history of its beginning more simply or to establish better its truth and worth. Its composition extended over several years. It was begun in 1291, when Mechtilde was fifty years of age. It could only have been finished shortly before her death, which took place in 1298. St. Gertrude, who was one of the collaborators, had begun her own book, The Herald of Divine Love, the 25th of March, 1289, so that these two admirable works date from the same time. They are both incomparable treasures of doctrine on the Sacred Heart, for rarely before and never since have the relations of the divine Heart with the other divine Persons or with the souls of men been treated of so fully or with so much exactness and brilliancy. From this treasure we are going to drink deeply. But first let us cast a glance at the holy soul who thus reveals to us the secrets of the divine Heart. Our faith in her words will surely be the firmer. ~ The Love of the Sacred Heart, Illustrated by St. Mechtilde. (1922)