Perhaps you know that August is traditionally set aside as the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. But do you know why?
Admittedly, I was curious about the reasoning. We know that May is the Month of Mary. And the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is typically celebrated in June. So why are we celebrating again in August?
It turns out that in 1944, Pope Pius XII placed the feast of the Immaculate Heart on August 22, the octave of the Solemnity the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was celebrated on this day until 1969, when Pope Saint Paul VI decided to join it to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.
Since then, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated on the day after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart is the third Friday after Pentecost (which usually falls during the month of June) and the Immaculate Heart is the third Saturday after Pentecost.
In his apostolic exhortation Signum Magnum, Saint Paul VI wrote this about the Immaculate Heart: “May the Immaculate Heart of Mary shine before the eyes of all Christians as the model of perfect love toward God and toward our fellow beings; may it lead them toward the Holy Sacraments by virtue of which souls are cleansed from the stains of sin and are preserved from it.”
Even though the feast day was moved forward in the liturgical calendar, August remains dedicated to the Immaculate Heart. And that makes sense, as we continue to celebrate some major Marian feasts this month: the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, followed by the Feast of the Queenship of Mary on August 22.
How can we honor Mary during this month dedicated to her Immaculate Heart? Pray the Rosary regularly, place flowers near a statue or image of Mary in your home or local parish, and say prayers of reparation and do acts of penance for sins committed against her son’s Sacred Heart (as she has requested at Fatima). And if you don’t already observe First Saturday devotions, consider doing so in the coming months.
“If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart, it still would not equal the love of the heart of Mary for her children.” – St. Louis de Montfort
During this week of our Relevant Radio Summer Pledge Drive, we ask you to support our mission as generously as you are able. We are pleased to offer a stunning etched glass stand featuring a three-dimensional image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as our gift to you when you support us at a giving level of $600 to $1199. Hurry, this offer will end soon so don’t delay in making your gift to Relevant Radio today!
If you give to Relevant Radio at the $600 – $1199 level this week, you will receive this Immaculate Heart Etched Glass Stand! Don’t miss your chance to Answer the Call!
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