A Double Feast Day
On Friday, June 16th, the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the laity of Sacred Heart Parish in Roslindale, MA, organized a triumphant celebration of the parish’s feast day.
Organizer Cecilia Constanzo said:
“We wanted to highlight the incredible love that the Sacred Heart of Jesus pours out abundantly for everyone in Roslindale, Boston, and the whole world.”
Several hundred faithful gathered in Roslindale Square just before 6pm. Many carried beautiful banners of Our Lady, representing twelve different ethnic devotions to the Mother of Jesus. Others carried images of the Sacred Heart. The universality of the Church was reflected by the presence of the Irish and Italians that came to the parish in the early years; the Spanish-speaking parishioners with their great devotion to the Sagrado Corazón; the Haitians with their love of the Sacré Coeur; and many more.
The Eucharistic Procession
The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in a beautiful, shining monstrance under the cover of an ornately woven tapestry called an ombrellino, borrowed from Saint Leonard’s Parish in the North End of Boston. The Eucharistic procession with bells, song, and prayer processed throughout Roslindale Square, up Cummins Highway, and into the upper Sacred Heart Church, where another 150 worshippers from all over greater Boston knelt in adoration.
Benediction & Holy Mass
As the ancient hymn Tantum Ergo was sung in Latin, solemn Benediction was offered to a packed church hushed in awe. A Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart was then offered, in thanksgiving for the Novena’s conclusion and to ask for reparation for the crassness and blasphemies in the modern culture against the Lord. The crude mocking of Catholic nuns at Dodger Stadium that same day was highlighted. The entire congregation prayed for those who ridiculed them.
Good Shepherds
The brief sermons in English, French Creole, and Spanish were especially moving. Pastor Fr. Brian Clary, Vicar Father Succes Jeanty, Father Gene P. Sullivan and Deacon Barry Mongeon are to be commended. In addition to the excellent homilies, the clergy were true “good shepherds” of the large flock that often spilled off the sidewalk during the procession. Thanks must also be extended to the Boston Police for providing a safe escort, alerting passing motorists to proceed with caution.
Links & Information
The event had been advertised on WQOM 1060AM Boston Catholic Radio and was attended by many loyal listeners. Many more pictures, video and information can be found on the Sacred Heart Parish website.
