Betty Colaneri, National Vice-President, June 12, 2024
FOR: Provincial Vice-Presidents
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).
My dear sisters in the League,
This month, the catchphrase for the promotion of the “1” Campaign is:
“1 Sacred Heart that burns with eternal love for us.”
June is known as the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and his boundless and passionate love for all of humanity. The feast dates back to 1673, when Jesus appeared to “1” woman, a French nun, Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who belonged to the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitandines) in eastern France. In her visions, Jesus appeared with his heart visible outside his chest, on fire and surrounded by a crown of thorns while explaining his immense love for humanity. Ever since, the month of June has been devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pope Francis stressed, “The month of June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the greatest human expression of divine love… the ultimate symbol of God’s mercy.” He invites the faithful to “discover the riches hidden in the Heart of Jesus” and to love their neighbour. Pope Francis added that Catholics should not be afraid to present “all of the intentions of our suffering humanity, its fears, its miseries” to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion unites minds, hearts and wills in “1” great act of oblation. It becomes a total gift of oneself to the “1” who has first offered himself completely to and for humanity.
In this broken and lost world, members need the sacred heart more than ever. St. John reminds us, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them” (1 Jn 4:16). Jesus, the “1”, empties himself for others, desiring their eternal salvation, seeking out the lost and carrying the wandering sheep home. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the image of his infinite love, which moves the faithful to love one another.
Members can be living examples of his sacred heart in simple ways through “1” act of kindness.
“1” note to a dear friend or family member
“1” telephone call to connect with someone
“1” visit to someone in a long-term care home who needs some human connection
“1” compliment a day or a week and watch how they light up!
“1” person or “1” new person to pray for.
Please encourage your diocesan counterparts to post their “1” act of kindness on their social media pages, celebrating and sharing the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Be sure to use #1SacredHeart!
Show the love of Jesus to League sisters and those in parishes and communities. Carry that love in your heart wherever you may go. O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, may our hearts beat with yours as “1.”
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Colaneri
National Vice-President