FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

O HEART, Thou Ark of Law divine,

Not that of former slavery,

But mercy, grace, and clemency,

That now with justice do combine,

O Heart, Thou Sanctuary pure

Of new and lasting Covenant,

With fitter veil than that was rent,

A Fane more holy to endure,

Thy Charity was ever keen

For piercing by an open blow,

That, venerating, we might know

The wounds afflicting Love unseen.

Within this Icon of His Love,

A bloody, mystic Sacrifice,

To offer each did Christ suffice

As Priest and Victim from above.

And who would neither love requite,

Redeemed, the Lover yet reject,

Nor in that Sacred Heart select

Eternal dwellings filled with Light?

So honour in supernal strain

The Parent, Son, and Spirit sage,

To Whom belong in every age

Unbounded glory, might, and reign.

Amen.

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE

The heart stands for love. The human heart of Jesus stands both for His human love and for the infinite love of His divine Person. His love was not just a shimmering, dreamy softness; it was wisely strong and true to its eternal purposes. Despite the anguish of Gethsemane, His love yielded His human life to crucifixion. His love had all the majesty and fullness of God, a height and a depth that make paltry the wisdom of men. Every mystery of His life, every miracle, sermon, and kindness, was a new revelation of divine love that enlightens and warms mankind.

INTROIT Ps. 32:11, 19

The thoughts of His heart stand through all generations, to deliver their souls from death, and keep them alive in spite of famine.

Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, through Your mercy we possess the treasures of Your love in the Sacred Heart of Your Son, the same Sacred Heart which we wounded by our sins. May our honor, devotion, and love make reparation to Him for our faults. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Eph. 3:8-12, 14-19

Brethren: To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

GRADUAL Ps. 24:8-9

The Lord is kind and just, therefore He shows even the erring the way.

V. He guides the humble in justice, He teaches the meek His way.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Matt. 11:29

Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 19:31-37

At that time, the Jews, since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth--that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 68:21

My heart dreaded reproach and misery, and I looked for someone to sympathize with Me, but there was none. I sought for someone to comfort Me, and I found none.

SECRET

O Lord, behold the love in the heart of Your beloved Son, which no tongue can describe. Because of that love, accept our gift as an offering in atonement for our sins. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 19:34

One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord Jesus, let the Blessed Sacrament fire us with a holy fervor, that we may experience the sweetness of Your loving Heart and learn to prefer the things of Heaven to those of earth; who lives and reigns with God the Father . . .