By Midhun J Francis, SJ

In Pope Francis’s latest encyclical, Dilexit Nos, he underlines the great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, present in a special way in Jesuit spirituality. Lending credence to this deep devotion, Father General Arturo Sosa renewed the Society’s consecration to the Sacred Heart in September, on the occasion of the 350^th anniversary of the Sacred Heart apparitions in Paray-le-Monial. This bond, historically created through Saint Claude de la Colombière, merges interior sanctification with a passionate call to evangelise, making Christ’s love a source of healing and compassion for all humanity.

Claude de La Colombière and the Sacred Heart

Saint Claude de La Colombière is a pivotal figure in the Jesuit tradition of devotion to the Sacred Heart, particularly because he was the confessor and an ardent supporter of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Claude accepted and validated Margaret’s Paray-le-Monial mystical experiences. He saw them as an opportunity to teach the Church about Christ’s unconditional love. In Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis highlights Claude’s role in blending these mystical revelations with the practical spirituality of Saint Ignatius, inviting a profound, heart-centered relationship with Christ (Dilexit Nos, no. 125).

Claude’s legacy encompasses his theological meditations on the Sacred Heart and his trust beyond personal devotion. His well-known prayer, “All my confidence is confidence itself... I shall never lose my hope”, invites the faithful to a relationship with Christ based on unwavering trust and surrender (Dilexit Nos, no. 126). This trust, which Pope Francis celebrates in Dilexit Nos, transforms devotion from a personal act of piety into a communal call for others to find hope and renewal in the boundless love of Christ’s heart.

The Spiritual Exercises and the Heart of Christ

Pope Francis also connects Jesuit devotion to the Sacred Heart with Saint Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises, noting that both aim to shape and transform the heart through affection (affectus) and inner spiritual movements. The Exercises encourage retreatants to engage in a “heart-to-heart” dialogue with Christ, primarily through meditations on His life and passion, focusing on His pierced heart. According to the Pope, this practice deepens intimacy with the Lord, as one’s affections are gradually reoriented toward divine love and self-giving (Dilexit Nos, no. 144).

The Holy Father quotes Michel de Certeau who describes prayer’s “unexpected movements” as God’s love disturbs and realigns a person’s priorities, leading them deeper into Christ’s mission of compassion and mercy (Dilexit Nos, no. 24). Through devotion to the Sacred Heart, Jesuits allow Christ’s selfless love to shape their lives and vocations.

Historical Continuity and Apostolic Mission

Pope Francis goes on to note that the Jesuit devotion to the Sacred Heart survived the Society’s suppression and restoration. In 1883, the 23^rd General Congregation of the Society accepted the “gentle burden” of this devotion with “overflowing delight and gratitude” as from Christ. Today, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network continues to promote the Sacred Heart. This network, formerly the Apostleship of Prayer, invites millions of Catholics to pray and act in union with the heart of Christ.

Pope Saint John Paul II urged the Society to spread this devotion to meet contemporary demands. He thought the Sacred Heart’s message of love and restitution was necessary to develop a “civilisation of love” in a world of hate and violence (Dilexit Nos, no. 147). Inspired by Christ’s wounded heart, Jesuits promote reconciliation and compassion in their ministries.

Conclusion

Pope Francis emphasizes how Jesuit devotion to the Sacred Heart is both a spiritual journey and a call to mission. Saints Claude de La Colombière and Ignatius Loyola demonstrate how this devotion may change lives and advance the Church. The Sacred Heart guides Jesuit spirituality and mission, promoting personal holiness and the work of evangelisation. Today, Jesuits at Paray-le-Monial work with the Visitation Sisters and the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network to teach catechism, give retreats and spiritual guidance to all who seek it.