WelCom November 2024
Pope Francis has published a new encyclical focusing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the context of a world ‘which seems to have lost its heart’.
‘Dilexit nos’ (He Loved Us), released on 24 October, is Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical, and comes at a time of profound global challenges.
The world today is scarred by war, social and economic imbalances, rampant consumerism, and technologies that threaten to undermine human nature.
With this document, Pope Francis calls for a change of perspective, urging humanity to rediscover what is most essential: the heart.
The encyclical examines the transformative power of Jesus’ heart as a font of healing for a divided world.
The full title of the encyclical is: ‘Dilexit Nos –Encyclical Letter on the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ’.
The Pope had previously shared his intent to publish the document at his 5 June general audience in St Peter’s Square, during the month traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
At the time, Pope Francis expressed his hope the text would invite reflection on aspects of the Lord’s love that could illuminate the path of ecclesial renewal and resonate meaningfully with ‘a world that seems to have lost its heart’.
He also noted the encyclical would incorporate reflections from previous magisterial teachings and the rich tradition of Scripture, reintroducing the Church to this spiritually profound devotion.
Pope Francis has consistently demonstrated a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart, often relating it to the priestly mission. In 2016, he concluded the Jubilee of Priests on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, urging priests to orient their hearts like the Good Shepherd towards the lost and the distant.
During the same Jubilee, in his first Meditations on Mercy, Francis recommended bishops and priests revisit Haurietis Aquas, noting ‘the heart of Christ is the centre of mercy. This is the nature of mercy: it gets its hands dirty, it touches, it engages, and it involves itself with others.’
Dilexit nos, Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical, follows Lumen fidei (29 June 2013), co-written with Benedict XVI; Laudato si’ (24 May 2015), on the environmental crisis and the need for care for creation; and Fratelli tutti (3 October 2020), which calls for global fraternity and social friendship in a world fractured by a pandemic and conflicts, including wars fought in the name of God.
‘Dilexit nos’ retraces the tradition and relevance of thought on ‘the human and divine love of the heart of Jesus Christ’, calling for a renewal of authentic devotion to avoid forgetting the tenderness of faith, the joy of serving, and the fervour of mission.
‘He loved us’, St Paul says of Christ (cf Rom 8:37), ‘in order to make us realise nothing can ever “separate us” from that love (Rom 8:39)’. Thus begins Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical, which takes its title from the opening words, Dilexit nos.
The encyclical is dedicated to the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ: ‘His open heart has gone before us and waits for us, unconditionally, asking only to offer us His love and friendship,’ the Pope writes in the introductory paragraph. ‘For “He loved us first” (cf. 1 Jn 4:10). Because of Jesus, “we have come to know and believe in the love that God has for us” (1 Jn 4:16).’
In our societies, the Pope writes, ‘we are also seeing a proliferation of varied forms of religiosity that have nothing to do with a personal relationship with the God of love’ (87), while Christianity often forgets ‘the tender consolations of faith, the joy of serving others, the fervour of personal commitment to mission’ (88).
In response, Pope Francis proposes a new reflection on the love of Christ represented in His Holy Heart. He calls for a renewal of ‘authentic devotion’ (163) to the Sacred Heart, recalling that in the Heart of Christ ‘we find the whole Gospel’ (89). It is in His Heart that ‘we truly come at last to know ourselves and we learn to love’ (30).
The text concludes with this prayer of Pope Francis:
‘I ask our Lord Jesus Christ to grant that His Sacred Heart may continue to pour forth the streams of living water that can heal the hurt we have caused, strengthen our ability to love and serve others, and inspire us to journey together towards a just, solidary and fraternal world. Until that day when we will rejoice in celebrating together the banquet of the heavenly kingdom in the presence of the risen Lord, who harmonises all our differences in the light that radiates perpetually from his open heart. May he be blessed forever’ (220).
The full text of the 220-chapter encyclical can be found online at this link: tinyurl.com/He-Loved-Us
Source: Vatican Media
Dilexit Nos: 7 takeaways from Pope Francis’ New Encyclical on the Sacred Heart
- Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of Christ.
- The Power of the Heart in a Fragmented World.
- The Cross as the Ultimate Expression of Christ’s Love.
- Love as a Missionary Impulse.
- Acts of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Saints and the Sacred Heart.
- The Wounded Heart of Christ as a Wellspring of Peace and Unity.
Read more online at this link: tinyurl.com/7-Takeaways
Source: National Catholic Register