Ireland, the country that evangelized St. Patricio, was the first to consecrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1873, a gesture that has been renewed this Sunday, 152 years later.
On the afternoon of June 22, Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Mons. Eamon Martin, Primado de Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, renewed the consecration of the country in the sanctuary of Knock, a “supplication from the deepest of the soul” to “obtain a safe refuge against all the dangers”.
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This gesture was the final touch of the “Cruzada del Sacred Heart” initiative, in which four images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, blessed by Pope Francis, pilgrimage since February by the parishes of the country.
In statements to Ewtn, Mons. Martin revealed that it was Loves usthe last encyclical of Pope Francis, which inspired him to consecrate the country again to the sacred Heart of Jesus. “With his accessible and refreshing style so characteristic, Pope Francis reminded us of deep love, beauty, power and integrity of the heart,” he said.
A safe shelter against all dangers
The objective of this renewal, explained the primacy of Ireland, is “to obtain a safe refuge against all the dangers, visible and invisible”, especially in our world, that sadly “can be a place of destruction, despair, pain and lack of hope for so many.”
For the Irish prelate, it is vital “that the faithful listen to a positive message of Christian hope, impregnated with divine inspiration”, something that is perfectly represented “by the eternal message of salvation that graphically represents the sacred Heart of Jesus.”
In this context, he reiterated that “we live in a time of great need for God” and that our era “presents many challenges for faith, for families and even for the depths of our humanity.”
Ireland’s primacy waited for this gesture to grant “much fruit in Ireland, spreading a fervent love to the Sacred Heart and inspiring families to live with fidelity the sanctifying and healer flames of that love.”
He also expressed his desire for “a powerful missionary rejuvenation to proclaim the good news in our country and beyond.”
He also said that Pope León “is a friend of Ireland”, highlighting his “missionary heart” and his continuous work for peace and reconciliation, “a pastoral priority for the Church in Ireland.
The ills that oppress the church worldwide
From the Eucharistic and Mariano International Sanctuary of Knock, Mons. Martin invited the faithful to offer the consecration in their own families, homes, parishes, and encourage others to do the same.
In his homily, the Irish prelate lamented that there are “many serious ills that today oppress the Church of God throughout the world”, remembering that thousands of Christians “are victims of harassment, verbal abuse and violence: churches are burned, believers are kidnapped, they are imprisoned, and even some are killed by their faith.”
He also cited other dangers “closer to home”, such as the lack of housing, hopelessness, the scourge of addictions, suicide and self -harm, abortion and pressures in favor of euthanasia. “How much we need a culture of life! A society where peace, reconciliation and dignity of each human person are promoted!”
“He will give us new hearts”
He also said that consecration “is not a kind of miraculous panacea for all the evils and struggles of the Church and society”, but “requires our cooperation and demands our personal commitment to spread faith, hope and love.”
He added that the consecration is also “a plea from the deepest of the soul” so that “nourishes our lives with their word and strengthens us with the sacraments, especially with your body and blood in the Eucharist, the sacrament of love.”
“He asks for our hearts. Let’s give them! And in return, he will give us new hearts, even a new heart! A heart transplant! Maybe that is just what our world needs now: a heart transplant!” He stressed.
Mons. Martin said that this gesture will also motivate the faithful to “irradiate the light of faith, hope and love, especially towards the poor, those who suffer and the most needy.”
“Do not be afraid: Consecration will give them a new heart, a heart full of love, which in turn can give new encouragement to our troubled world,” he concluded.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Graduated in journalism and advertising from the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. It has been a senior correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News at the Vatican for two years and is currently a correspondent for Europe based on Spain.