Fr Paul gives his reflection preceding the Global Rosary Relay
By Aline Lim
June 29 2022
WHAT is the best way to celebrate the glorious Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus? For such a big and important feast day for our parish, the youth leaders of the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish have always felt that it could go much deeper and much more meaningful than just a fellowship or a banquet in our parish hall.
Preceded earlier in the day by the grand celebration of the Eucharist for the auspicious feast day cum the ordination of Fr Sylvester Wong, the youth of Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish decided to run the Global Rosary Relay once again to pray for the Sanctification of our priests during the night of 24th June 2022.
This was the 3rd consecutive year, of our parish’s participation in this worldwide movement alongside over 2,600 prayer locations all around the world to encircle the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with prayers for all priests.
The night began with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by vespers which was led by Sr Anita James and Sr Carmen Cordova. Parish priest Fr Paul Lo, who was accompanied by Fr Saimon William and Fr Russell Lawrine, proclaimed the Gospel and gave his reflection.
He emphasized on the need to pray for priests, who are all called, though unworthy, to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Orders, in order to provide the church with the rest of the Sacraments.
Fr Paul shared that he still finds it unbelievable that God would use a poor man like himself as the channel of His grace through the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of the Eucharist where Jesus is truly present and to absolve sins in the Sacrament of Confession.
He added that these are beyond the ability of the priest as a human person, and which no man could ever do that.
Taking on the quote of St Francis of Assisi who once said, that he would first salute the priest if he came across one than an angel simply because of the extraordinary grace and anointing given by God to the priest to turn bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Fr Paul continued in his words urging everyone to pray for the priests every day.
“Look at me, look at the priests in our parish. You know we really need your prayers so that we can be good shepherds who will go all the way to seek out the lost sheep and live our lives like Jesus Christ in giving ourselves totally.” He then recorded his thanks and received the relay spiritually from Parroquia Santa Rosa de Lima Rincon, Puerto Rico.
The Apostolic blessing by the Holy Father was then read, and the recitation of the Holy Rosary began as we meditated on the Sorrowful mysteries, followed by the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the prayer for priests.
Fr Paul giving the Benediction to conclude the Global Rosary Relay
The hour was concluded with the Magnificat and Benediction. Fr Paul then passed on the relay to El Pilar Basilica, Zaragoza, Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar in Spain.
The date for the next Rosary relay was announced, which falls on 16th June 2023.
So, what is the best way to celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus? Perhaps, it is by honouring what the Sacred Heart of Jesus loves. When we look at the burning Heart of our Lord, in flames of love for each of us, we see the Heart of God that truly has no secrets in terms of how deep His love is for all of us.
There is however one particular group of people, that St John Vianney calls “the love of the Heart of Jesus”; they are our priests. So, it may seem like the most non-celebratory thing to do on a big feast day, but we could not think of what would please the Sacred Heart of Jesus more than spending time in prayer, with Him in Adoration, praying for those whom He has chosen and loved in the priesthood. It is a simple and profound way to celebrate, yet so often missed out by many as we often think of the grand and merry when it comes to celebrations.
We hope and pray this annual event will continue year after year, and most of all that each of us will truly recognize the need to pray more for our priests every single day.
Let us transform our scrutinizing and criticism of them into prayers so that they may all be protected from the evil one and be priests after the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
Behold, the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love! Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place all our trust in You!
