7 Ways to Honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here are some beautiful, yet simple ways to honour the Most Sacred Heart.

Love is at the very core of the Catholic faith. In establishing the new commandment, Jesus made it clear that we are to love one another, because He first loved us (John 13:34). The Sacred Heart of Jesus, a well-known and revered devotion, encapsulates this tangibly: Christ so burns with love for us that He wishes we would burn with love for Him, too.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a movable feast (celebrated nineteen days after Pentecost Sunday), and in 2024, this falls on Friday 7 June. However, the Catholic Church has dedicated the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart to remind us of the magnitude of Christ’s love for us.

Here are 7 simple ways to honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus throughout the month of June.

1. Prayer

We could all call upon the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our prayer time, asking for an increase in love. Time permitting, you could pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or the Litany to the Sacred Heart. Alternatively, invite the Sacred Heart into your day through short aspirations like:

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

When Jesus visited St. Margaret Mary Alacoque – the French mystic responsible for spreading the devotion of the Sacred Heart – he did so while she was praying before the Blessed Sacrament. In imitation of her, a special time of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament could be scheduled.

2. Enthronement

This practice involves giving the Sacred Heart image permanent pride of place in the family home through an enthronement ceremony. You could invite a priest to preside or simply have the head of your family lead it.

Decorate the prayer altar, including an image or statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. With the family gathered around, the presider recites a set of prayers, including an Act of Consecration.

Consider starting the day with Mass as a family and organise a family party after the enthronement ceremony to celebrate the occasion. Once a year, renew your Consecration on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart or anniversary of enthronement.

For a more elaborate blog post on how to enthrone your home, read Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

3. Twelve promises

On one visit to St. Margaret Mary, Jesus made twelve promises to those who devote themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Reflect on these twelve extraordinary promises in your prayer or at meal time with your family. It is worthwhile meditating on just how much Our Lord desires we make a special place for the Sacred Heart in our daily lives.

4. Sacred Heart of Jesus cake

Why not make a Sacred Heart of Jesus cake?! It will surely be a hit with the kids. Whether you choose to do this on the Solemnity or another day in June, this is an enjoyable way to demonstrate to the children that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is worth celebrating. Learn how to make it in this blog post.

5. First Nine Fridays devotion

In the twelfth promise Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary, Jesus requested that we carry out the First Nine Fridays devotion. This practice is fulfilled when we:

go to Mass and receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months;
do so in a state of grace (therefore go to Confession if in doubt).

6. Books

Consider deepening your knowledge and love of this special devotion by reading a book on the topic throughout the month of June. There are many beautiful books on the Sacred Heart and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, for younger and older children, as well as adults. Our recommendations can be found here.

7. Compassion

Finally, having our hearts truly burn for Jesus leads to us desiring that others also know this Divine love. Think of ways in which you and the family can evangelise Christ’s love to others. When the family is gathered together (after prayer or during meal time), each member could share how they have actively chosen to show Christ’s love. This is a wonderful way to be accountable to one another.