The Immaculate Heart of Mary in three tableaux
Sermon
The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is on the octave day of the Assumption. It was declared a universal feast by Pope Pius XII in 1942 during the Second World War after the holy pope had consecrated the entire human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Let us consider the Immaculate Heart of Mary in three tableaux. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is at once a thing of great beauty, it is an example, and it is a sign.
A thing of beauty
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a thing of beauty to contemplate for it is wrapped up in the Trinity. It is the masterpiece of the Father, the source of human life of the Son and the Temple of the Holy Ghost.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a unique heart because to her heart, God was obedient; from her heart He received a mother’s love; and in her heart He found no stain of sin.
An example
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is an example to us to follow. The Father gave the Blessed Virgin Mary a daughter’s heart which was obedient unto Him; the Son gave the Blessed Virgin Mary a mother’s heart to care for her children; the Holy Ghost gave the Blessed Virgin Mary a bride’s heart to love with purity and with ardour.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is the mirror of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We see now dimly as if in a mirror, but the Immaculate Heart of Mary, being such a perfect mirror of the Sacred Heart, makes all things clear. Her heart loved with the same love as the Sacred Heart (even before the Incarnation!), hence the flames; it was a humble heart which merited her Divine Motherhood, hence the crown of thorns; and it was a suffering heart, hence the sword.
A sign
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a sign. It is a sign of contradiction for when Simeon said, “A sword will pierce your heart so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” he meant that anyone who does not honour the suffering heart of Mary declares himself as lost. It is a sign calling us to penance and reparation. And it is the sign of ultimate triumph promised at Fatima.
Resolution
Let us therefore treasure this thing of beauty, conform ourselves to its example and follow its direction.
Honour the Trinity by giving honour to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Make our hearts like hers and so like her Son’s. Desire what it promises.
During the month of August, in imitation of the holy Pope Pius XII, let us consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. +
A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfil the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of thy Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to thy Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to thee, all the people of our country and all the world.
Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as thou wish to accomplish thy designs in the world.
O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.
We come with confidence to thee, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed thine own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes thy shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with thy rule, triumph in every heart and home.
Amen.
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