Bishop Earl Fernandes | Diocese of Columbus website

This past June, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes led a diocesan pilgrimage to Paray-le-Monial as part of the Jubilee Year celebrations honoring the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This year marks the 350th anniversary of the apparitions to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. During the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrated in the Basilica, it was announced that the Holy Father intended to write an encyclical letter on this subject. The encyclical letter "Dilexit nos" was published today.

The letter explores various themes related to devotion to the Heart of Jesus. It discusses scriptural and historical perspectives, including insights from Church Fathers and recent Magisterial teachings, such as those by Pius XII and Saint John Paul II. The letter also delves into spirituality associated with this devotion, referencing figures like Saint Therese, Saint Francis de Sales, and Saint Charles de Foucauld.

A significant chapter on reparation concludes the encyclical, expanding on ideas from Saint John Paul II and emphasizing Pope Francis' views on social responsibility and human fraternity. Bishop Fernandes has previously encouraged practices like Holy Hours of Reparation and abstinence from meat on Fridays within his Diocese as acts of reparation for sins against human life. The Pope's letter broadens this concept with a call to build a civilization of love.

Bishop Fernandes encourages reading and meditating on this encyclical while considering its application within parishes and the Diocese. He highlights an upcoming Sacred Heart Congress in Columbus in early November as an opportunity for renewal through devotion and Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes.

Pope Francis writes: “Saint John Paul II spoke of the social dimension of devotion to the heart of Christ, but also about ‘reparation, which is apostolic cooperation in the salvation of the world’. Consecration to the heart of Christ is thus ‘to be seen in relation to the Church’s missionary activity, since it responds to the desire of Jesus’ heart to spread throughout the world, through the members of his Body, his complete commitment to the Kingdom’. As a result, ‘through the witness of Christians, love will be poured into human hearts, to build up the body of Christ which is the Church, and to build a society of justice, peace and fraternity’.”

Bishop Fernandes concludes his message by entrusting readers to "the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus."