The Sacred Heart

In the familiar, visible world, “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). In the unseen realm, Jesus transformed the familiar and visible, “our daily bread”, into the mystery of the indwelling of the Eternal God. The same Creator of the heavens and the earth (“In the beginning”) spoke again through Jesus Christ the words of re-creation: “This is my Body which is given for you...this is my blood of the new and everlasting covenant...” Hidden within the ordinary and familiar lies a profound mystery and glory that touches every dimension of life. Pope Benedict XVI in his 2006 address to clergy at the Warsaw Cathedral stated: “In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host ... It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.” However, the Eucharist was not the only gift of the Last Supper. The priesthood was given then, too, and friendship transformed by Jesus’s new command to love one another. Why? Because: "Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses," as C. S. Lewis declared in his essay, The Weight of Glory. Indeed, the Lord’s vineyard is fragrant, and we, His laborers, are privileged to work together in friendship with the Eternal God! In this, the ultimate nuptial, the invisible shines forth in undimmed glory through ordinary work, relationships, and simple fare – and the Eucharist! Called to arise, we hurry to join the Lord’s victory feast, where through the Gift and Mystery of the Eucharist, our joy is complete, indeed. “When such as I cast out remorse, So great a sweetness flows into the breast: We must laugh and we must sing! We are blessed by everything. Everything we look upon is blest.” (W.B.Yeats, Dialogue of Soul and Self) Ruth D. Lasserter Friend of the SDC Indiana, US

The young person is not only the future but also the present. Youth is the transition from childhood to adulthood, a crucial phase during which young people are called to take on responsibilities within society. It would be a mistake not to recognise the potential that young people have to contribute to the growth and vitality of the Christian community. Moreover, youth is a profoundly formative stage in each person’s life — one that shapes whether we go on to live a life of depth and purpose, or one marked by emptiness and lack of direction. It is therefore essential that values are nurtured during this time, so that we may journey towards holiness and fulfil the richness of our calling. Despite its importance, youth is often overshadowed by numerous challenges that many young people face daily: violence, marginalisation, manipulation, and addictions to drugs, pornography, and gambling. At times, society exploits the energy and ideals of the young, only to discard them. Others fall under the influence of destructive ideologies. Many carry deep wounds, with their failures etched into their hearts. As a Christian community, we must learn to weep in the face of these struggles so that we may respond with compassion and courage, acting not out of duty but from the heart. What, then, can we do in the face of all this? There are indeed reasons for hope. Young people often carry within them a longing for a different, better life and a desire to develop their talents in service to others. Pope Francis continually reminds us of the need to accompany young people, offering them spaces where they can ask real questions and gradually build a relationship with the Gospel and with Jesus. He assures us that God loves each of us personally and unconditionally, a truth we can easily forget amid the distractions and traps of modern society. God's love is perfect: it does not burden or belittle but rather heals and sets us free. As a Christian community, we are called to be instruments in the hands of God, helping to promote and nurture Christian values, not only to better our society but for the genuine good of each person. For it is in the sincere gift of self that we begin to live life to the full, embracing the profound purpose to which Jesus calls us. It is a great grace when these values are discovered early in life. May we support and guide one another with fraternal love, helping each other to live not in disillusionment or aimlessness, but to walk the path of holiness, the true goal of our lives. Michael Spiteri SDC Candidate

You are one God in three Persons. You are a Person, O God the Father. You are a Person, O God the Son. You are a Person, O God the Holy Spirit. You are three equal and distinct Persons, yet not three Gods, for God is one: one in nature, in essence, and three in Persons. You are a Person, O God the Father, because you are a substance who exists of yourself within the divine nature, and you act and work. Have mercy on us. You are a Person, O God the Son, because you are a substance who exists of yourself, begotten within the divine nature, and you act and work. You are a Person, O God the Holy Spirit, because you are a substance who exists of yourself, proceeding from the Person of the Father and from the Person of the Son, and you act and work. Yet there are not three substances, but one single substance. You, O God, are incomprehensible: no intellect that you have created can, through all its efforts, come to understand you, neither your nature nor your judgements and thoughts. In order for one to understand you, it would be necessary to be God like you, which is impossible, for you alone are God, and besides you there can be no other, not even one like you. You are God, Lord of heaven and earth; all things are under your dominion, and in all things, you seek to do your will for your glory. We are yours and you are ours; to you alone we always give honour and glory, to you yourself, as you will never give your honour to another.

St Paul writes that we Christians are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells within us. Since the Spirit of God lives in us, it is essential that we come to know who this Spirit is and how we may recognise him within ourselves. God is one in three persons, distinct from one another: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father recognises Himself in begetting the Word, who is called His Son. The Father loves the Son, and the Son loves the Father; from this mutual love proceeds the Holy Spirit. These three persons are equal and share in everything fully. Where the Holy Spirit is present, his gifts, listed in the Book of Isaiah, are never lacking. These are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2–3). In addition to these gifts, the Holy Spirit also bestows his fruits, which, as St Paul writes, are: love, joy, peace, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faith, purity, continence, and modesty. Whoever possesses the Holy Spirit cannot fail to experience his consolation through these gifts and fruits. Without the Holy Spirit, no one can give glory to God or earn merit. Without him, no one can believe, hope, love, or truly repent. Without the Spirit, no one can discern the deceptions of nature, the devil, or other people. Without the Holy Spirit, no one can keep God’s law, let alone recognise the Spirit of God. Without Him, a person remains in a state of misfortune. We invoke the Holy Spirit for help in times of temptation, for enlightenment in the examination of conscience, and in discerning our vocation in life. We call upon him in times of desolation, adversity, doubt, fear, tribulation, and in all our other needs. Let us therefore turn to the Holy Spirit in prayer. May we frequently pray, with faith and devotion, the words of St George Preca: God the Holy Spirit, enlighten the minds and enkindle the hearts of the followers of Jesus Christ. Amen.

For many of us, the white smoke on 8th May 2025 came as a great surprise. Many had predicted that this conclave would be a lengthy one. Yet, it was not to be. So much so, in fact, that it seemed the whole world suddenly tuned in to see what was unfolding in St Peter’s Square. Then, the doors of the loggia opened, and we heard the long-awaited words: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam.” The joy that followed was truly palpable. The crowd’s excitement subsided as all awaited the name of the new Pope – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. His was not a name frequently mentioned, certainly not alongside those more favoured by journalists and commentators. Then came the name he had chosen: Leo XIV. As one might expect, he appeared deeply moved. And who wouldn’t be, upon discovering that God had called them to be a father to all? Then the microphone was passed to him, and his first words to the multitude gathered in the square were: “Peace be with you all!” Prophetic words indeed, not only because of the troubling times in which we live, when peace seems so elusive, but above all because these were the very words spoken by the Master, Jesus, when he first appeared to his apostles after his resurrection. This brief greeting was the message, and perhaps more profoundly, the prayer with which the new Pope wished to begin: a prayer for peace in our families, among nations, and throughout the world. To encourage his children, the Pope continued: “God loves us all... evil shall not prevail!” With these words, he urged us not to lose heart, so that as a people of faith we might continue to bring the light of the Lord to the world, to bear witness to his victorious peace. Pope Leo XIV concluded his message with an invitation to join him in becoming builders of bridges. In a world seemingly overwhelmed by division and conflict, may we become signs of the true peace that only the Lord God can bestow.

On the 7th Sunday after Easter, we are invited to contemplate the glorious moment of Christ’s Ascension. In Luke 24, we see Our Lord blessing His Apostles before being taken up into Heaven. He sends them into the world with a mission: to teach all nations and to baptise in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. After this, a cloud gently veils him from their sight, marking the end of his earthly ministry. Yet, this is not a farewell, but a fulfilment, Christ ascends to reign at the right hand of the Father. Let us pause and gaze upon the Heart of Jesus, now glorified, to whom all power in Heaven and on earth has been given. In this divine moment, he invites us to trust, to follow, and to love more deeply. His heart remains open to each of us, a place of refuge and strength. Lord Jesus Christ, make my heart like unto yours. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. God the Father, I offer you the Divine Heart of your Son Jesus Christ, with all its merits, so that you will grant me the grace to find refuge in your all-powerful heart. Amen. Praise be to God.