Across the world, the final days of June mark a deeply spiritual moment for millions of Catholics as they honour two of the most cherished devotions in the Church: the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Celebrated on successive days—this year on June 27 and June 28—the feasts inspire pilgrimages, special Masses, and acts of reparation in Churches, Shrines, and even remote Chapels worldwide.
A Dual Devotion of Love and Mercy
The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, observed on the Friday following Corpus Christi, is rooted in the visions of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a 17th-century French Nun.
In her revelations, Christ emphasised the immense love symbolised by His heart—pierced, crowned with thorns, and ablaze with divine mercy.
The devotion highlights God’s boundless love and the call to respond with humility, trust, and reparation.
The following day, the Church celebrates the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a devotion tied to Mary’s deep love for God and her maternal sorrow for the sufferings of Christ and humanity.
Her heart, often depicted pierced with swords, reflects purity, compassion, and unwavering intercession.
Together, the back-to-back feasts form a theological pairing—Jesus’ heart as the fountain of divine mercy, and Mary’s heart as the perfect human response to that love.
Pilgrimage and Public Acts of Faith
In cities and rural communities alike, these feasts are marked by pilgrimages that blend ancient tradition with present-day fervour.
In the Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi at Dzodze Tornu, there is a Sacred Heart Shrine—thousands gathered for a solemn procession and all-night adoration.
The Ho Diocese has named the Cathedral after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On the feast day, the parishioners make a pilgrimage to Fodome Helu Sacred Heart Parish.
“It’s a moment to reconnect with the deeper meaning of mercy, and to entrust our burdens to the hearts of Jesus and Mary,” said Sr. Scholastica, SMMC.
“In a world marked by division, their hearts remind us of unity, compassion, and sacrifice. Our objective for today’s pilgrimage was specifically for our sick Sisters, (Rejoice, Constancia, Francisca, Philothea, Theresa, Elizabeth Bedi and others), our Superior General and her Council, and all SMMC Sisters that the spirit of our founder and Mary Mother of the Church helps us to faithfully carry out our mission and spirit out…”
A Spiritual Response in Modern Times
This year’s celebrations come amid ongoing global tensions, economic instability, and rising concerns over secularism. Many faithful see the feasts not just as liturgical traditions, but as timely spiritual responses to contemporary anxieties.
Rev. Fr. Alexander Salakpi, speaking at morning Mass on Friday, June 27 at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy at Legon, Accra, urged the faithful to “immerse ourselves in the mercy of Christ’s heart” and to “imitate the tenderness of Mary, whose heart never ceases to beat for us.”
He also encouraged devotion to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts as a path to peace—personal and global.
The day was crowned with initiation of New members to the Confraternity at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy of the University of Ghana.
Consecration and Commitment
A growing number of Dioceses and lay movements have taken the opportunity during the feast days to consecrate themselves, their homes, and their nations to the Sacred of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The act of consecration is seen not as a mere ritual, but as a commitment to living a life of virtue, prayer, and service.
Prior to this feast was a nine day of devotion “Novena of Confidence to the sacred heart of Jesus.” For many pilgrims, the journey is both physical and interior.
Sr. Margaret Akordor, SMMC expressed: “I walked 20 kilometres today with young pilgrims from Ho Bankoe. “But the real journey is in the heart—returning to Jesus and Mary, and finding peace in their love.”
As dusk falls and candles flicker in Chapels across the globe, the twin feasts continue to draw hearts into a deeper encounter with divine love.
In every whispered prayer and weary step, the devotion remains vibrant: an ancient flame carried forward by modern faith.
Sr. Gifty Anastasia Blewu SMMC (Sister Communicator )
