'Dilexit nos': Pope to publish encyclical on Sacred Heart
of Jesus
On Thursday, Pope Francis will publish a new encyclical
focusing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the context of a world "which
seems to have lost its heart."
By Salvatore Cernuzio
"Dilexit nos" (He Loved Us) will be Pope Francis'
fourth encyclical, and it comes at a time of profound global challenges.
The world today is scarred by war, social and economic
imbalances, rampant consumerism, and technologies that threaten to undermine human
nature.
With this document, Pope Francis will call for a change of
perspective, urging humanity to rediscover what is most essential: the heart.
The Pope’s Announcement
The full title of the encyclical, "Dilexit Nos
- Encyclical Letter on the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus
Christ," was confirmed today by the Vatican Press Office, with its release
set for October 24.
The Pope had previously shared his intent to publish the
document at his June 5 general audience in St. Peter’s Square, during the month
traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
At the time, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the text
would invite reflection on aspects of the Lord's love that could illuminate the
path of ecclesial renewal and resonate meaningfully with "a world that
seems to have lost its heart."
He also noted that the encyclical would incorporate
reflections from previous magisterial teachings and the rich tradition of
Scripture, reintroducing the Church to this spiritually profound devotion.
The 1673 Apparitions
The encyclical’s release coincides with ongoing celebrations
commemorating the 350th anniversary of the first appearance of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673.
On December 27 of that year, Jesus appeared to the young 26-year-old
French Visitation nun, entrusting her with the mission of spreading His love,
particularly toward sinners. These apparitions, which took place at the convent
of Paray-le-Monial in Burgundy, continued for 17 years.
Christ showed His heart surrounded by flames and encircled
by a crown of thorns—symbolizing the wounds inflicted by human sin. He
requested that the Friday following the Feast of Corpus Christi be dedicated to
the Sacred Heart. Though initially misunderstood by many, including her fellow
nuns, St. Margaret Mary remained steadfast in her mission to reveal Christ’s
love to the world.
Pope Pius XII’s Haurietis Aquas
In 1956, Pope Pius XII issued Haurietis Aquas,
an encyclical aimed at reviving the devotion during a time when it was in decline.
Pope Pius emphasized the devotion's importance for the Church's needs and its
potential as a “banner of salvation” for the modern world.
Pope Benedict XVI, in a letter commemorating the 50th
anniversary of Haurietis Aquas, reinforced this sentiment, saying,
“This mystery of God's love for us is not only the content of devotion to the
Heart of Jesus; it is also at the heart of all true Christian spirituality.”
Pope Francis’ Devotion
Pope Francis has consistently demonstrated a deep devotion
to the Sacred Heart, often relating it to the priestly mission. In 2016, he
concluded the Jubilee of Priests on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, urging
priests to orient their hearts like the Good Shepherd towards the lost and the
distant.
During the same Jubilee, in his first Meditations on
Mercy, Francis recommended that bishops and priests revisit Haurietis
Aquas, noting that “the heart of Christ is the center of mercy. This is the
nature of mercy: it gets its hands dirty, it touches, it engages, and it
involves itself with others.”
The Pope's Fourth Encyclical
Dilexit nos will be Pope Francis' fourth
encyclical, following Lumen fidei (June 29, 2013), co-written
with Benedict XVI; Laudato si’ (May 24, 2015), on the
environmental crisis and the need for care for creation; and Fratelli
tutti (October 3, 2020), which calls for global fraternity and social
friendship in a world fractured by a pandemic and conflicts, including wars
fought in the name of God.
Dilexit nos will be presented at the Vatican
Press Office on October 24 by Monsignor Bruno Forte, theologian and Archbishop
of Chieti-Vasto, alongside Sister Antonella Fraccaro, General Superior of the
Disciples of the Gospel.
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