Sacred Heart devotion is not only for the old – National President tells youth

The National President of the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre, Ghana, Sis. Mrs Elizabeth Tapang-Tettey, has urged young Tarcisians and the youth of the Church in general to take an active interest in the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Addressing young Tarcisians at the 4th Accra Provincial Sacred Heart of Jesus Rally at St Alphonse Catholic Church, Kpong, over the weekend, Sis. Tapang-Tettey challenged the perception that the devotion is mainly for older people.

“Do not be discouraged by the notion that the Sacred Heart is for ‘old men and women’ and doesn’t attract the youth. Get involved now rather than later,” she said.

She told the young people that they represent both the present and the future of the Sacred Heart Confraternity and encouraged them to begin taking their spiritual formation seriously while they are still young.

“Growing spiritually begins when you are still young,” she said, while encouraging the Tarcisians to embrace the spirituality of the Sacred Heart and live out its values in their daily lives.

Drawing inspiration from St Tarcisius, the young martyr associated with devotion to the Eucharist, Sis. Tapang-Tettey urged the young people to “love and defend the Eucharist” and to deepen their understanding and practice of Catholic devotions.

She also encouraged the Tarcisians to build meaningful networks among themselves as they grow in their faith and participate in the life of the Church.

Her appeal to the youth formed part of a wider call for Sacred Heart devotees to make their devotion a lived expression of faith in their homes, institutions and communities.

The 4th Accra Provincial Sacred Heart of Jesus Rally was held under the theme, “A Synodal Church at the Service of Justice and Peace in Ghana: The Role of the Sacred Heart Devotees.”

Sis. Tapang-Tettey said the theme was timely as the Church seeks to live out synodality through walking, listening, discerning and acting together.

She said Sacred Heart devotees have a role to play by bringing the message of Christ’s mercy, justice and peace into their homes, parishes and communities.

A key part of this mission, she said, is the enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes and institutions.

Describing the home as the “Domestic Church”, she encouraged devotees to establish places of prayer in their homes and to make time for the Rosary, Scripture and family prayer.

“When we enthrone the image of the Sacred Heart in our homes and institutions, we invite Jesus to be Lord of our families and institutions,” she said.

She encouraged devotees to return to their homes and renew the practice of enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus, saying peaceful homes and institutions contribute to a peaceful society.

“A nation at peace begins with homes and institutions at peace,” she said.