PRAY! Papal Intentions & Indulgences

• Unemployed. That the unemployed may receive support and find the work they need to live in dignity.
• Faith in Europe. That Europe may rediscover its Christian roots through the witness of believers.

NOTATE BENE: June is the month of particular devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (I hope that we all foster a general devotion thereto throughout the year). As Pope Pius XII wrote in Haurietis Aquas (15 May 1956),

“6. The Church has always valued, and still does, the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus so highly that she provides for the spread of it among Christian peoples everywhere and by every means. At the same time she uses every effort to protect it against the charges of so-called “naturalism” and “sentimentalism.” In spite of this it is much to be regretted that, both in the past and in our own times, this most noble devotion does not find a place of honor and esteem among certain Christians and even occasionally not among those who profess themselves moved by zeal for the Catholic religion and the attainment of holiness. …

10. For even though the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has triumphed so to speak, over the errors and the neglect of men, and has penetrated entirely His Mystical Body; still there are some of Our children who, led astray by prejudices, sometimes go so far as to consider this devotion ill-adapted, not to say detrimental, to the more pressing spiritual needs of the Church and humanity in this present age. There are some who, confusing and confounding the primary nature of this devotion with various individual forms of piety which the Church approves and encourages but does not command, regard this as a kind of additional practice which each one may take up or not according to his own inclination. …

15. No less to be approved, no less suitable for the fostering of Christian piety was this devotion declared to be by Our predecessor of happy memory, Pius XI…. [He wrote:] “Is not a summary of all our religion and, moreover, a guide to a more perfect life contained in this one devotion? Indeed, it more easily leads our minds to know Christ the Lord intimately and more effectively turns our hearts to love Him more ardently and to imitate Him more perfectly.”

In addition, recall that this Friday (6 June) is a First Friday, so make an effort to make a good confession and assist worthily at Mass. (You’ll never make all nine consecutive First Fridays if you don’t make a first one!)

In the same vein, be advised that the feast of the Sacred Heart falls on June 27, 2014. On that day, if properly disposed, we may obtain a plenary indulgence by making a public recitation, before the Tabernacle, of an act of reparation to the Sacred Heart. Join me (not the least by reminding me)!

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not remind all of you that, since this devotion precedes the Second Vatican Council, and since it is not a bedrock, explicitly defined, infallible de fide dogma, it is subject to a clerical quashing at any moment. All the more reason to get it in while it’s still allowed!

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A partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, can be obtained when the Eternal Rest (Requiem aeternam) is prayed.

REQUIEM aeternam dona ei (eis), Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei (eis). Requiescat (-ant) in pace. Amen.

ETERNAL rest grant unto him/her (them), O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her (them). May he/she (they) rest in peace. Amen.

This is a good prayer to recite especially during the month of November.