Consecration of the Croatian People to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Consecration of the Croatian People to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Gospić

On Thursday, June 27, in the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gospić, an evening mass was solemnly celebrated at 7 p.m. on the occasion of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Day of Consecration of the Croatian People to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Eucharistic celebration was led by the Chancellor and Bishop's Secretary, Father Mišel Grgurić. On that occasion, a prayer of consecration of the Croatian people to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was also said.

The sermon was delivered by Chancellor Grgurić, the summary of which is given below:

“On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is being celebrated this year in a special way in the context of the consecration of the Croatian people to the Heart of Jesus and the jubilee of the Church, Rev. Krgurić emphasized that the Heart of Jesus reveals the core of the Christian faith – God’s love incarnate in Jesus Christ. At the center of Pope Francis’ encyclical Dilexit nos – Love Us is precisely this love, human and divine, which was manifested in the Heart of Christ. The Heart of Jesus symbolizes His love for the Father and people and represents a permanent source of salvation.

The longing for God, which He Himself implanted in the human heart, was emphasized. As the Holy Scripture shows, the heart is the center of the person – a place of encounter with God, decision-making and the struggle between good and evil. Reverend Krgurić, through a series of biblical quotes from the Old and New Testaments, explains the different dimensions of the meaning of the heart: as the seat of thought, will, faith, sin, purity and encounter with God.

The Church's spiritual tradition sees the heart as the depth of being, where man decides for or against God. Jesus loved each of us and gave himself for us. His Heart remains a sign of that love that endures and calls for conversion.

Pope Francis said that today's world, wounded by wars and selfishness, can only heal if it returns to its source - the Heart of Christ. This requires missionaries who radiate the love of Christ and discover the answers that only the heart can give.

At the end of the sermon, the faithful are invited to recommend the Croatian people and homeland with faith and love to the merciful Heart of Jesus, asking that he lead us on the path of salvation: "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours."

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