AUGUST: The Month of The Immaculate Heart of Mary
We are now in the month of August dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Feast of the Immaculate Heart was originally celebrated on 22nd August, the octave day of Our Lady’s Assumption, celebrated on 15th August. With the new calendar it was moved to May, the Saturday after the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The Queenship of Our Lady was moved too from 31st May to 22nd August. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart has grown greatly since the appearances of Our Lady at Fatima in 1917. Our Heavenly Mother told the three shepherd children:
Jesus wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.
Our Heavenly Mother explained that her Immaculate Heart is the safe refuge for the times we are living through now. Our Lady requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart to avert numerous calamities which would affect the Church and the world. She also asked for Communions of Reparation to be offered to her Immaculate Heart on five consecutive First Saturdays.
CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.
Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.
O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.
We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.
Amen.