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Irish Times
27-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
The Sacred Heart picture, once ubiquitous in Irish Catholic homes, has a fascinating history
Last month, thousands gathered at Knock Shrine in Mayo for a ceremony in which Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin consecrated Ireland to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was the culmination of what was termed an 'All-Ireland Sacred Heart Crusade' begun several months earlier. For some, this event evoked memories of an Ireland long-since gone. The Sacred Heart picture, with its glowing lamp, once ubiquitous in Irish Catholic homes, is nowadays more likely to be encountered as a prop for a locally produced John B Keane play, and yet it has a fascinating history. Although it has strong medieval roots, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is usually associated with a series of visions experienced by a French nun, Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690). The devotion spread quickly and had reached Dublin by the mid-18th century, with a confraternity to the Sacred Heart established there by 1797. It was the 19th century, however, that truly universalised the image. Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, printed in Dublin in 1851, encouraged readers to 'place a picture of the adorable heart of your Saviour ... in some conspicuous place, so that the sight of it may inspire you to love him'. The beatification of Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1864 added further impetus to the devotion. By 1876, the Dublin firm JJ Lalor was advertising Sacred Heart medals in the Nation newspaper, and the Irish Messenger of the Sacred Heart (still in print) was launched in 1888, reaching a circulation of about 250,000 by 1920. Its editor, Fr James Cullen SJ, recommended that on New Year's Day, families should dedicate their homes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and 'affix their signatures to the certificate of consecration, periodically renewing this commitment'. Aloysius O'Kelly's well-known 1883 painting, Mass in a Connemara Cabin, clearly shows a cheap print of the Sacred Heart on the cabin wall. The image was frequently invoked for protection. Small paper images of the Sacred Heart with a cross were circulated in Marseilles during a time of plague in 1720 with the words 'Arrête! Le Coeur de Jésus est là!' ('Stop! The Heart of Jesus is here!'). During the first World War, it was claimed that Irish and English Catholic soldiers 'put more trust in the Sacred Heart than in surgeons and nurses'. This was so much the case that the Jesuits, the great promoters of the devotion, cautioned that the Sacred Heart badge 'should not be worn as a charm or talisman to preserve the wearer from bullets and shrapnel'. It hardly worked. Counter-revolutionary forces in the Spanish civil war continued to wear Sacred Heart badges called detentebalas ('stop bullets'). From the outset, the image had a political edge. During the French Revolution, it was adopted as a royalist symbol (Sr Alacoque had been instructed to tell the French monarch to offer the whole nation to the Sacred Heart) and it became an important symbol for monarchist and integrist Catholicism in the later 19th century, which rejected liberalism and 'modern error'. The language of the Sacred Heart, which embraced that of Christ's kingship, had particular resonance when Pius IX, the king-pope besieged on all sides, lost the papal states at the time of Italy's Risorgimento. In 1733, a Spanish priest-visionary claimed that Jesus had declared, 'I will reign in Spain and with more veneration than elsewhere'. In the 1930s, the Sacred Heart image was co-opted in the war against republican forces, which was presented as a 'crusade'. In 1938, the Spanish writer Antonio María Pérez de Olaguer warned of the threat of unbridled communism, noting 'while centuries have passed ... the wheel of the Crusades keeps turning'. Returning to that ceremony in Knock last month, the use of the term 'crusade' in association with the Sacred Heart devotion in 2025 is both unfortunate and unsettling. When Ireland was first consecrated to the Sacred Heart in 1873, the Tuam Herald newspaper declared, 'In the midst of heretical Europe this Island of Saints, true to its name, rises up from insidious persecutions to proclaim its triumph and thanksgiving'. One of the more conservative US Catholic newspapers reported interviewing an attendee at Knock last month, who said, 'we have been through so much over the past few years ... with ... all this secularism eating up the soul of Ireland'. Clearly, for some, when it comes to 19th-century 'crusades' against the modern world, it's still all to play for. I tend to prefer the simpler historical examples of heartfelt devotion: the Sacred Heart hung in the cowhouse; in shop windows on Corpus Christi; or hearing of Tim Smythe, an athlete from Feakle, Co Clare, who won the 5,000m against France in 1931 and 'afterwards sent in a thanksgiving to the Messenger of the Sacred Heart for having been successful in it'. Surely we've had more than enough 'crusades' in our history. Salvador Ryan is Professor of Ecclesiastical History at St Patrick's College, Maynooth
Irish Post
24-06-2025
- General
- Irish Post
Pope Leo sends blessing to parishioners at Knock Shrine
POPE LEO XIV has sent a special blessing to those who attended a Mass held at Knock Shrine to renew Ireland's consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Catholic Church in Ireland decided to make the renewal this year, which has been designated the Jubilee Year of Hope. The Mass, which took place at the Basilica of Our Lady in Knock on Sunday, June 22, was celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin. Archbishop Eamon Martin consecrated Ireland to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Knock Shrine on Sunday, June 22 (Pic: Sean Flynn) It is one of a number of events which took place across Ireland this month in the lead up to the feast day of the Sacred Heart on June 27. In honour of the Mass, Pope Leo sent a blessing to those who attended. Archbishop Eamon Martin celebrates the Mass at Knock Shrine (Pic: Sean Flynn) 'His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends cordial good wishes to all gathered for the Sacred Heart Crusade at Knock Shrine, on 22 June 2025, as Archbishop Eamon Martin renews Ireland's consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,' the message read. 'His Holiness prays that this solemn occasion will provide a grace-filled opportunity for all participating to deepen their devotion to the merciful heart of Christ, and to grow in zeal for spreading the saving message of the Gospel and promoting Christian charity among their brothers and sisters.' Pope Leo sent a special blessing for all those who attended the Mass (Pic: Sean Flynn) It added: 'Entrusting all present to the loving protection of Mary, Mother of the Church, the Holy Father imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.' See More: Ireland, Knock Shrine, Pope Leo, Sacred Heart Of Jesus
Belfast Telegraph
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
NI sporting hero Daniel Wiffen ‘really proud' to donate £25k Olympic fund to former Armagh school
The swimmer (23) made history last July after becoming the first Northern Ireland athlete to win an individual gold medal since 1972. He won gold in the 800m freestyle and bronze in the 1,500m freestyle for Team Ireland in the French capital. Sharing photos as he returned to old school St Patrick's Grammar in Armagh, the athlete was pictured with current pupils at the school and the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin. In a post on social media, Wiffen said: 'From Armagh to Paris and back again. 'Really proud to donate my full £25,000 Olympic Legacy fund to St Patrick's Grammar School Armagh – the school that believed in me from the very beginning. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. "Their support meant everything on my journey to becoming an Olympic Champion 'When I heard about the Legacy of Paris programme, I knew straight away where the funding should go. The school had plans for a new gym to support local athletes, but funding was a challenge. This donation helped bring that vision to life. News Catchup - Monday 9th June 2025 'It was a special moment to return with my brothers Nathan Wiffen and Ben Wiffen to open the new facility – one that will inspire future swimmers, GAA stars, hurlers, hoopers and more 'Massive thanks to Mr Clarke, Archbishop Eamon Martin and the whole school community for the warm welcome and continued belief. 'Legacy isn't just about medals — it's about giving others the chance to dream too.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Archbishop welcomes 'unexpected' Pope
The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin said he "really didn't expect" the American Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV to be elected. White smoke started billowing from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel in Rome shortly after 18:00 local time (17:00 BST) on Thursday, signalling the voting process had concluded. The new Pope then appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica after his election. Archbishop Martin said he was praying for the new Pope and hoped that "he will do a good job for all of us". Speaking about meeting the then Cardinal on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Archbishop Martin described Pope Leo as very calm and respectful. He said: "He was a very affable and a courteous person, somebody who is in that kind of humility that Pope Francis has exuded over the last number of years." "Whenever I heard his name called out, I just thought, it's not what I would have thought, but the more I've begun to think about it, clearly the Cardinals have been reflecting for a full two weeks before they even went in the door of the Sistine Chapel. "And what are the needs of the church? What kind of person do we need at this time?" "This is the one they've chosen," he said. In Londonderry on Friday morning Pauline Madden said she hoped the new Pope would be a good successor to Pope Francis. "There are challenges and issues for the Church worldwide. Hopefully he will be seen as maybe a peacemaker, there is a lot of conflict in different parts of the world," she said. Liam Wilson said he was happy the Conclave was quick. "He looks so young, long may he live now, I hope he carries on the work of Pope Francis." Mr Wilson said Pope Francis spoke out about peace and current struggles around the world. "I hope that continues now. What we want now is to maintain the ground that Pope Francis has laid and keep everything going, and bring peace to the world hopefully. Speaking after the news broke of the new Pope's election at Clonard Monastery in Belfast, Blesson said it was a very important day. He said: "I hope he is like Pope Francis like before. I will pray for him that he makes good decisions and takes the Church in the right direction." Fr Ciarán O'Callaghan said this represents a new start for the Catholic Church. "Every Pope has a way of leading the Church forward and Pope Francis certainly did that. This Pope has a lot of issues on his in-tray so I hope he begins to deal with those. "He talks of inclusion which is a big word in our world today, about a welcome for everyone, and about building connections and dialogue, and that sounds good to me," he said. Rosemary said it was great news. "I didn't expect an American but our previous Pope had installed him as cardinal two years ago, so it is great to see it and he will just have to prove himself," she said. "I was born in the States, in New York, so I am happy enough," Brain said. "It's the first Pope from north America. He is the leader after Saint Peter, it is a very big deal. It is so significant, from Francis dying to a new Pope elected." Harry said Pope Leo's previous experience in Peru and the Vatican made him the right person for the job. "It's good that it didn't take too long, it shows that they had agreement among them," he said. Dessie said: "It's a big day for the church, hopefully a nice and modern guy. He is young enough too, I think Pope Francis did a good job so hopefully he will follow suit."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Pope Leo: NI reaction to 'unexpected' new Pope
The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin said he "really didn't expect" the American Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV to be smoke started billowing from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel in Rome shortly after 18:00 local time (17:00 BST) on Thursday, signalling the voting process had new Pope then appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica after his Martin said he was praying for the new Pope and hoped that "he will do a good job for all of us". Speaking about meeting the then Cardinal on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Archbishop Martin described Pope Leo as very calm and said: "He was a very affable and a courteous person, somebody who is in that kind of humility that Pope Francis has exuded over the last number of years.""Whenever I heard his name called out, I just thought, it's not what I would have thought, but the more I've begun to think about it, clearly the Cardinals have been reflecting for a full two weeks before they even went in the door of the Sistine Chapel. "And what are the needs of the church? What kind of person do we need at this time?""This is the one they've chosen," he said. 'Challenges' for church In Londonderry on Friday morning Pauline Madden said she hoped the new Pope would be a good successor to Pope Francis."There are challenges and issues for the Church worldwide. Hopefully he will be seen as maybe a peacemaker, there is a lot of conflict in different parts of the world," she said. Liam Wilson said he was happy the Conclave was quick."He looks so young, long may he live now, I hope he carries on the work of Pope Francis."Mr Wilson said Pope Francis spoke out about peace and current struggles around the world."I hope that continues now. What we want now is to maintain the ground that Pope Francis has laid and keep everything going, and bring peace to the world hopefully. Speaking after the news broke of the new Pope's election at Clonard Monastery in Belfast, Blesson said it was a very important said: "I hope he is like Pope Francis like before. I will pray for him that he makes good decisions and takes the Church in the right direction." Inclusion and connection Fr Ciarán O'Callaghan said this represents a new start for the Catholic Church."Every Pope has a way of leading the Church forward and Pope Francis certainly did that. This Pope has a lot of issues on his in-tray so I hope he begins to deal with those."He talks of inclusion which is a big word in our world today, about a welcome for everyone, and about building connections and dialogue, and that sounds good to me," he said. Rosemary said it was great news."I didn't expect an American but our previous Pope had installed him as cardinal two years ago, so it is great to see it and he will just have to prove himself," she said. "I was born in the States, in New York, so I am happy enough," Brain said."It's the first Pope from north America. He is the leader after Saint Peter, it is a very big deal. It is so significant, from Francis dying to a new Pope elected." Harry said Pope Leo's previous experience in Peru and the Vatican made him the right person for the job."It's good that it didn't take too long, it shows that they had agreement among them," he said. Dessie said: "It's a big day for the church, hopefully a nice and modern guy. He is young enough too, I think Pope Francis did a good job so hopefully he will follow suit."
