The Uganda Martyrs, The Sacred Heart and France

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Today, June 3rd, being the Memoria of the Uganda Martyrs, we are reminded of the turmoil being caused in Christian communities, and especially in the Anglican Communion, because of confusion over sexual morality. Many African Anglicans want nothing to do with Lambeth and Canterbury now because of very serious disagreements over the question of homosexuality. The Uganda martyrs who were both Catholic and Anglican were united in their rejection of the sexual corruption of the king. The fact that this corruption especially involved homosexual activity challenges the moral liberalism and relativism of many in the western churches.


As I preached this morning I reminded the few who came about the month of June and the disaster that befell France after the offer of Our Lord was rejected. He sent a message to the king through St. Margaret Mary that France should be consecrated to the Sacred Heart. In doing this, Heaven was asking France, especially, to be the country of true love. When Our Lord later appeared to Sr. Lucia reminding her of His insistence on devotion to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, He said to her, "do not let happen what happened in France". This was a reference to the "terror" of the French Revolution when devotion to The Sacred Heart was banned. The main reason for this was the revolutionaries' desire to destroy the authority of the French Catholic Church. The Sacred Heart became the banner of those opposing the revolution. The second charge brought against the 13 Carmelite sisters who were martyred was "devotion to The Sacred Heart". God's desires were not thwarted because France had already contributed to the message of God's Merciful Love through the experiences granted to St. Margaret Mary and through the work and spirituality of St. John Eudes who composed the Mass of The Sacred Heart. During the years of the revolution religious insititutes came into being devoted to the Sacred Heart or to the Two hearts. In spite of its refusal France was to be associated with The Sacred Heart devotion and it was surely an inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the great Basilica of The Sacred Heart was built in a part of Paris that was to be associated not only with art but also sexual and moral corruption. Recent news about the continued liberalism of French society and the shrugging of the shoulders when faced with public scandals once again reminds us of the glorious invitation that was rejected and that lies at the heart of the dissatisfaction of the French people. God would speak again through others such as St. Therese and would once again exalt The Heart of Christ through others such as Blessed Charles De Foucald. The challenge and the invitation remains. One day, please God, the French hierarchy will renew, in a more solemn way, the consecration of the country to The Sacred Heart of Jesus.


Comments

  1. Unknown8:35 am, June 03, 2011

    Thank you, Father for this historical, spiritual and much needed post. I found great hope in it also. While nations may reject Christ and His teachings, it is clear that He will raise up the likes of those saints you mentioned in every age to spread and live the Gospel.
    Thanks again and God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marie8:53 am, June 03, 2011

    We are reminded here of the tremendous influence and contribution made by the great mystics of the Church.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8:58 am, June 03, 2011

    Thankyou Fr..very informative & inspiring..

    ReplyDelete
  4. EC Gefroh11:39 am, June 03, 2011

    Mahalo Father for writing about king's failure to consecrate France, the connection of the French Revolution and France's banning of the devotion to the Sacred Heart. It is a lesson we should always remember. neglect.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sarah12:57 pm, June 03, 2011

    My old college, Digby Stuart, owes its existence to the Society of the Sacred Heart, founded by Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865) in France. In 1850, the first Convent of the Sacred Heart School was established at Roehampton, London.

    The old chapel was tiny, beautiful, very Victorian, very ornate. It seemed deserted in favour of the modern chapel nearby. I found it so peaceful.
    It is worth a visit.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Molly8:00 am, June 04, 2011

    The mission and contribution of women, the impact of the mystical tradition in the Church is something we must treasure.

    "If you look at the history of the Church, women—from Mary to Monica and all the way down to Mother Teresa—have so eminent a significance that in many respects they shape the image of the Church more than men do. Just think of major Catholic feast days such as Corpus Christi or Mercy Sunday, which originated with women. In Rome, for example, there is even a Church where not a single man can be seen in any of the altarpieces.’ (Light of the World, p.150-151)
    Pope Benedict XII

    ReplyDelete

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