The holy hour, flowing from the jubilee for the 350th anniversary of the apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (Dec. 27, 2023 – Jun. 27, 2025) and inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), is sponsored by Knights of Columbus, Blue Earth Council1836.
During the holy hour, an icon depicting the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, painted in 1767 by Pompeo Batoni and now venerated in the Church of the Gesù in Rome, will be displayed. This reproduction of the original image bears the blessing of Pope Francis and is one of more than 300 icons traveling across the world as part of the Knights of Columbus Pilgrim Icon Program.
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly has said that as Knights bring these icons across the world to their parishes, he hopes “they will invite their families — and all families — to consecrate their homes and themselves to the Sacred Heart." He further said that “In the heart of Christ, we see the heart of the Father. And we ask Our Lord to help us make his heart our own, so that we may see and love in others what he sees and loves in us.”
The Sacred Heart Holy Hour will include readings from Sacred Scripture and reflections from Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayers to the Sacred Heart, and time for silent prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The prayer service will lead all present to grow in their love of God and devotion to his Most Sacred Heart.
