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In a world filled with uncertainty and suffering, the Catholic Church turns this month to a powerful source of comfort: the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
When she appeared to the Fatima children for the second time, Our Lady told Lucia:
“Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” -Our Lady of Fatima, 1917
Mary places much emphasis on her Immaculate Heart. She encourages us to pray to her and seek solace in her. She knows the way to God; the way to Heaven.
It's fitting that the Church has dedicated an entire month to this devotion. But why was August chosen?
On October 31, 1942, amidst the horrors of World War II, Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He did this in response to Our Lady of Fatima's request.
“God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace."-Our Lady of Fatima, 1917
Two years later, in May, the pope named August 22 as the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Through her intercession, he sought peace, Church freedom, and conversions. He also desired a universal love of purity and practice of virtue.
Amid a terrible, bloody world war, the Pope turned to the Virgin Mary for protection and intercession. This devotion continued after the war ended and has lived on into the modern age.
August became the month to venerate Mary's Immaculate Heart. This seems a bit confusing at first, considering there's no relative feast during this month. However, that wasn't always the case.
As aforementioned, August 22 used to be the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. But after Vatican II, Pope Paul VI switched this feast with the feast of the Queenship of Mary. The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was joined with the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, while the feast of the Queenship of Mary took its place on August 22.
Although the feast day changed, tradition remained. Catholics have continued to honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary in August.
Although the Immaculate Heart of Mary is an incredibly powerful, necessary devotion, it's important to note that we venerate (honor) her Heart, not worship it as we do God. Through it, we strive to love and practice virtue as Mary did.
Mary is the most powerful intercessor in Heaven. She leads us to Jesus. As His mother, Mary holds a special place in the Lord's heart, and He listens to her requests.
Not only do we seek Mary's assistance through this devotion, but we make reparation to her Immaculate Heart for all our grievous sins. Our sins led to the immense suffering and death of Mary's Beloved Son, causing her great pain and sorrow.
Catholics can honor the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in many ways. Some great options are:
The world needs Mary's help now more than ever. She calls to us from Heaven, asking us to pray to her and beseech her intercession. Our Mother cares about us, and she wants to help us.
By keeping well the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we not only please the Virgin Mary, but we also please her Son. There's no better way to honor the Lord than by honoring His Mother.
May her Heart, full of grace and sorrow, lead ours ever closer to her Son.
