The final and most profound promise of devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of the most consoling gifts from Jesus to His faithful followers. He promises, “I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.”
This final promise is a beautiful reflection of God’s boundless love, offering comfort and assurance to those devoted to His Sacred Heart. It can be broken down into the following essential distinctions: the “Why,” the “What,” and the “How.”
Why? The Foundation of the Promise
The answer lies in the excessive mercy
of the Sacred Heart. Jesus, in His infinite love, pours forth His divine mercy
in abundance. This promise is not based on our worthiness, but rather on His
generous love, which is greater than any of our shortcomings. The “why” is
grounded in His divine love and mercy. We only need to take Jesus at His word
and accept His beautiful offer of grace and mercy.
How? The Path to Promise
To receive this promise, we are called
to engage in the devotion of the Sacred Heart. This involves:
·
Attending
Mass on the First Fridays for nine consecutive months – the Friar's spiritual
commitment for 2025 year for and all the years going forward.
·
Receiving
the Holy Eucharist during these Masses.
·
If
necessary, preparing ourselves spiritually by going to Confession beforehand,
to be in a state of grace to receive our Lord.
This is the “how” — a commitment to
living out the devotion with sincerity and reverence.
What? The Spiritual Benefits
The result of this devotion is
threefold:
1. Final Perseverance: We are promised the
grace of perseverance in faith until the very end of our lives, enabling us to
remain steadfast in our love for Christ.
2. Protection from Disgrace: We will not
die in a state of disgrace, ensuring that we are in right relationship with
God.
3. Sacramental Grace: We will receive all
the sacraments necessary at the moment of our death, ensuring a peaceful
passage into eternal life.
These are the blessings that the Sacred
Heart promises to those who remain faithful to the devotion.
The “Why” Revisited: The Sacred Heart of Jesus
At the heart of this promise is the
Sacred Heart of Jesus — the seal of His great love for humanity. Jesus assures
us that His divine Heart will be our safe refuge at the moment of our death. He
will not let us go! In the final moments of our earthly lives, when we most
certainly need comfort and strength, our Lord will hold us next to His Sacred
Heart and provide us with peace, protection, and His graces we need to enter
eternal life.
In these promises, we see the
incomprehensible love that Jesus has for us. His Sacred Heart personally
assures us of His constant care and love, especially at the most crucial moment
of our lives, our departure from our earthly home.
Lord, You have prepared for each and every one of us the entry into the beatitude of our heavenly home. Thank you, heart of Jesus!
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