Heart of Jesus Trail®
Further study
The importance of the sacraments and the Heart of Jesus
Step 6 - The Heart of Jesus and the Sacraments
Teaching of Father Martin Pradère ↓
The Heart of Jesus and the Sacraments
In the ancient feast of the Sacred Heart, the Vespers hymn said: «From this heart grace ceaselessly flows like a river with seven currents» (referring to the seven sacraments)1. «Rivers of living water» that irrigate the Church, and from which we draw joy, the sacraments make us share in that love and life that Jesus Himself receives from the Father and wants to pour into our hearts through His pierced side. They are all a gift of the Heart of Jesus (A) whose different facets (B) they communicate to us, allowing the Church to return love for love to Christ (C). This is particularly true for the Eucharist, which, in a way, gives us the Heart of Jesus.
All the sacraments are a gift from the Heart of Jesus
01 In the era of globalisation
● The Church has but one message to repeat to the world: that of Mercy and Divine Love..
This is strikingly expressed by the sign of the water and blood that flow from the opened side of Christ raised on the Cross in the Gospel of John (Jn 19:34).
Image of Divine Love, the Heart of Jesus is also the instrument of his communication to men. Symbolically, the thrust of the lance is what gives efficacy to the entire sacramental order, through the shed blood, a sign of sacrifice. The Lamb's Heart It is not merely a pierced heart recalling Christ's love, but also an open heart that pours out grace and charity through the effusion of his blood: «From his fullness we have all received» (Jn 1:16).
02 The sacraments communicate the love of Jesus' Heart in its different facets
The sacraments of initiation
The Sacraments of Healing
The sacraments of the community
03 Sacraments and the Church's response of love
● baptism as consecration
● the confirmation as a gift of a «burning heart»
● the Mass, sacrament of the love of the priestly Heart of Christ
The sacrament of reconciliation and reparation
The Sacrament of the Sick and the Victim Offering
The Sacrament of Marriage and Married Life
The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus (Jn 21:15-17).
