Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

"I recommend to you a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here is a way to practice that. You should visit the Blessed Sacrament frequently, especially at hours when there is no one there, for such visits are more pleasing to Him. Then prepare yourself with sentiments of profound humility and contrition. After that you must ask Jesus to admit you into His Divine Heart. Enter there in spirit. Love that Infinite Good there, praise and thank Him for what He has done and suffered for us, especially for having given us His life for food in the great Sacrament of Love, sacrificing yourself as a holocaust to the Divine Majesty on the altar of His Divine Heart and allowing yourself to be set on fire by the sacred flames which burn in that sweet heart. The Holy Spirit will teach you more if you know how to humble yourself."

(From a letter of St. Paul of the Cross to Francis Appiani, July 29, 1740)

Let Us Love This Dear Lover!

 

"When you approach the sacred altar, let your greatest aim in doing so be that your souls may ever more and more be dissolved in his holy love. Oh! dearest ones, I say nothing to you about preparation, for I think you do what you can. Remember, it is a question of performing one of the holiest possible actions. Our dear Jesus could do nothing more than to give himself to us as food. Then let us love this dear Lover and be very devout toward the Blessed Sacrament."  

(From a letter of St. Paul of the Cross to his sisters and brothers, February 21, 1722)