Joliet diocesan superintendent, Fr. John Belmonte, S.J. wanted to unite Catholic school children across the diocese in prayer and to get them closer to Jesus. He created a program called, “Perfect Friendship: A Sacred Heart Project,” which promotes devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This helps develop the devotional life of both children and adults.

In mid-October, two St. Joseph 8th grade students, James Hutto and Theresa Hutto attended an early morning information session at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Along with students from around the diocese, they learned about the devotion, then returned to St. Joseph School to share this with their fellow classmates.

This project began on October 17th, the feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She is widely credited as one of the people responsible for spreading the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, after seeing visions of Jesus for 18 months, beginning in late 1673.

In her visions, Jesus told her she would be instrumental in spreading devotions to the Sacred Heart. She wrote, “From this divine heart, three streams flow endlessly.” The first is the stream of mercy for sinners. The second is the stream of charity, and the third stream flows love and light for the benefit of His friends who have attained perfection.

Theresa and James returned to St. Joseph ready to share their new-found knowledge. Theresa explained that Fr. Belmonte gave them a picture of Jesus and His Sacred Heart, along with teaching packets and worksheets to pass out. Together they visited each classroom and talked about what they learned from Fr. Belmonte. James explained the Sacred Heart. “The heart shows that Jesus loves everyone. It’s big enough to love each and every one of us.”

St. Joseph School’s Tuesday School Mass was said on the first Friday this month, as the first Friday’s of each month are dedicated to the devotion of the Sacred Heart. Prayer activities are also held at the school. In addition to classroom prayer, each Friday morning students are chosen from grades 3 – 8 to read some of the prayers sent by Fr. Belmonte. These prayers will continue every Friday through mid-February, the ending date of this project.

A Consecration Mass will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville on Thursday, February 23rd, with Bishop Conlon presiding. All schools in the diocese will be represented for this Consecration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

For more information on this or on St. Joseph School, contact the school office at 630-969-4306 or go to www.stjosephdg.org.