For the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, devotion to the Sacred Heart is an important part of our spiritual tradition, which comes to us from the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary who had a direct influence in our founding as a Congregation. This year marks the 350th anniversary of the first apparition of the Sacred Heart to the young Visitandine nun, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.
The Oblates renew our consecration to the Sacred Heart on the First Friday of each month. The Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of God’s love and mercy for humanity, and so we learn in the Salesian tradition that devotion is the human heart longing to beat in rhythm with the heart of God, in “heart to heart” communication, with the Heart of Jesus mediating that relationship. Thus, we strive to “Live Jesus” as portrayed in the Gospel of Matthew: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.”
