Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary – June 25

This year on June 25, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The purpose of the feast is to celebrate her heart in a special way – a symbol of ardent love for God and for Christ, as well as a symbol of motherly love for every human being. The cult of the Heart of Mary is to lead people and encourage them to resemble Mary’s motherly.

The feast was started by St. John Eudes in 1643. The pope Pius VII approved the feast for dioceses and religious orders as a local feast. It was in 1855, that the Mass of the Most Pure Heart of Mary formally became a part of the Catholic practice. The Second Vatican Council moved them to Saturday after the celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

History of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is connected in many ways to that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Christians were drawn to the love and virtues of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and this paved the devotion from the beginning.  Early Christians had compassion for the Virgin Mary, and the Gospels recount prophecy delivered to her at Jesus’ presentation in the temple, and that her heart would be pierced with a sword.  (newmanconnection.com)

Traditionally, the most popular representation of Mary is focused on her heart. The heart of Mary in artwork is depicted with seven wounds or swords, in homage to the seven sorrows of Mary. Also, flowers such as roses may be wrapped around the heart. According to the newmanconnection webiste, St. John’s Gospel further invites us to the attention of Mary’s heart with its depiction of Mary at the foot of the cross at Jesus’ crucifixion.  St. Augustine tells us that Mary was more blessed in having born Christ in her heart, than in having conceived him in the flesh.