Dating back to the 16th century, special devotions have been assigned for each month by the Catholic piety. For the month of August, we dedicate it to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Looking at history, we can see this devotion to the Immaculate Heart emphasized in the visions given to the oldest visionaries of Fatima, Lucy Dos Santos. In her visions (1925 and 1926), Our Lady asked for the practice of the Five First Saturdays to help make amends for the offenses committed against her heart through the blasphemies and ingratitude of men. This practice parallels the devotion of the Nine First Fridays in honor of the Sacred Heart.
World War II brought turmoil to the world in the 1940s. As response to the requests of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Pius XII performed a solemn Act of Consecration of the Church and of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 31, 1942.
There is no better example of the Christian life than what Mary has offered. Her Immaculate Heart is a representation of the desire of the Mother of God to bring the people to her Son. It is venerated, often together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, because it is united in her person and is the seat of her love, virtue, and inner life.
This devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is emphasized during August but it is something that we must remember all-year round. May we deepen our devotion to her Immaculate Heart through praying, so we may be drawn closer to Christ through Mary.
