Question: Why do we celebrate the Hearts of Jesus in the month of June?

Answer: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an ancient practice. We can see its Scriptural origins in Jesus’ own references to His Heart. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest ? for I am meek and humble of heart” (c.f. Matthew 11:28, 29).

The devotion received a surge of popularity in the late 1600s. Jesus appeared several times to a French religious sister, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pointing to his heart. During this time, the Jansenist heresy had risen in France, which preached limited predestination for salvation. When appearing to Margaret Mary, Jesus affirmed his love for all mankind: “Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing.” He asked for a special feast celebrating his Sacred Heart on the Friday following the feast of Corpus Christi. Over time, June has become known as the month of Sacred Heart.