The WOUND in His pierced Heart is open; you can come in, go out, and come in again. His HEART is always open to those who come to Him. The FLAME of His love gives warmth, comfort, and consolation to anyone who draws near. It is a light that can never be put out. The Crown of THORNS shows that love endures both great and small sufferings, this is the true test of love. On the CROSS He gives His life completely, with limitless love, for your Salvation. Offer yourself completely to Him with a grateful heart.
Servant of God Sister Ida Peterfy, SDSH Foundress
Devotion to the Sacred Heart is based on the loving Person of Jesus Christ, His words and actions are revealed especially through Sacred Scripture. Our love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus includes sharing in His joyful accomplishments and in His sufferings. Devotedness means to give oneself. Devotion to the Sacred Heart takes shape in the wholehearted gift of our lives; this is the relationship of our prayer life, the bond of our Community life, and the zeal of our apostolate. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to love Him totally, and to make Him known so others come to know how much they are loved and might love Him in return.
Why is our Community Devoted to the Sacred Heart?
Sister Ida explained this on June 16, 1977 at Family Camp at Camp Helendade
We appreciate that God has a Heart for us.
His love is personal; His Heart aches for us.
His love went so far as dying on the cross for us. No one can have greater love than that!
We see the suffering that His Heart has to endure if it is real love and more than a feeling. We can be “turned on” by the love of God in a few minutes, but the test comes from suffering, even after a conversion. The apostles were taught by Jesus for 3 years; then He suffered, died, rose from the dead, the Holy Spirit came – and then the apostles suffered for years!
Water and blood came out of His Heart – and the Church was born of it. Blood symbolizes life that was sacrificed. Jewish priests used to sprinkle the Holy of Holies with blood once a year to make up for sins. If created life can make up for sins, think of Christ whose Heart shed every drop of His Blood for us: how much more can He wash us clean! Out of His wounded Heart we received salvation.
The Heart of Christ symbolizes our Community; we, too, were born when there was no hope for survival for life.
As Jesus told His apostles, “I will not leave you alone.” He told it to us, too, adding that we should go and teach and baptize. Yes, this command was given to “the Church.” But we become the Church when we realize that we can do something about that command of Christ.
Our Community is devoted to His Heart. It means that we cling to His Heart with all our heart and soul and mind. We have been successful in bringing other people also to the loving Heart of Our Lord. It is so easy to speak, to teach, about only one dimension of God, for example, justice.
We focus on love. He IS Love!
When you realize that Jesus really loves you personally, that you truly matter to Him, then you cannot help but love Him back and this obviously leads to His Sacred Heart . . . His HEART beats for you, His love is personal. With Him your heart can become like His. An exchange of hearts can happen in an instant.
Servant of God Sister Ida Peterfy, SDSH Foundress
“Lord,
give me a burning love
that I may love You
and love my brothers and sisters for You.
Give me your never-ending divine love,
and I will go anywhere and everywhere
You want me to go.
Amen.”
Servant of God Sister Ida Peterfy, SDSH Foundress
