In 1891, our founder, Father Leo Dehon, wrote in the editorial of his spiritual work, “Le Règne du Cœur de Jésus”(The Reign of the Heart of Jesus):
“Let us lose no opportunity, during this year, to propagate the reign of the Sacred Heart. Is there any question around us of building some church or chapel? Let us propose the title of the Sacred Heart. If our parish does not yet have its altar, its statue of the Sacred Heart, let us endeavor to raise a subscription, and we shall succeed. Let us promote the foundation and diffusion of the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart, of the Apostleship of Prayer. Let us ask for the organization of the exercises of the first Friday of the month, the Mass of the Sacred Heart, the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the benediction, and the reading of the Act of Reparation.
Every year we go on pilgrimage to some shrine of Mary; let us look along the way for some shrine of the Sacred Heart: Montmartre, Paray, Issoudun, Moulins. These two pilgrimages complement each other.
The promises of the Sacred Heart are more wonderful than we think. We generally only know a short summary of them which has become popular, but the pages written by Margaret Mary are full of them.
Here are a few examples:
« Oh! What happiness for those who contribute to the establishment of the reign of the Sacred Heart! By this, they draw upon themselves the eternal friendship and blessings of this lovable Heart, as well as a powerful protector for our homeland. A no less powerful one is needed to turn away the severity and just anger of God for so many crimes committed therein.
How indebted we are to this divine Heart for deigning to make use of us for the execution of this great design, for it reserves incomprehensible treasures for all those who apply themselves to it with all their power.
The Sacred Heart will remember and take delight throughout all eternity in what we have done for it; and it will look with a favorable eye, full of mercy, upon all those who concern us, to succor and protect them in all things. »
Margaret Mary did not give these promises without being authorized by Our Lord, and Our Lord echoed her confidence by saying to her:
« I promise you that my Heart will expand to pour out abundantly the influences of its divine love upon those who will render honor to it and will procure that honor be rendered to it. »”
