Pope Francis« fourth Encyclical entitled »Dilexit nos" (He loved us), addresses the tradition and contemporary relevance of thinking about the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. It invites us to renew our devotion so as not to lose sight of the tenderness of faith, the joy of serving and the enthusiasm for mission, as the Heart of Jesus inspires us to love and sends us out to others. Since its origins, Regnum Christi has lived the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a pillar of its spirituality and charism.
«Dilexit nos», which can be read here, consists of five chapters:
- The importance of the heart
- Gestures and words of love
- This is the heart he loved so much
- Love that gives to drink
- Love for love
The Holy Father had announced the preparation of the encyclical, on June 5, 2024, in his catechesis, explaining why he considered it important.
«On December 27 last year, the 350th anniversary of the first manifestation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was celebrated. That occasion marked the beginning of a period of celebrations that will conclude on June 27 of next year. I am therefore pleased to prepare a document that gathers together the valuable reflections of previous magisterial texts and of a long history that goes back to the Sacred Scriptures, in order to propose again today, to the whole Church, this cult full of spiritual beauty. I believe that it will do us a lot of good to meditate on various aspects of the Lord's love that can illuminate the path of ecclesial renewal; and that also say something meaningful to a world that seems to have lost heart.» (June 5, 2024).
The Vatican News offers a presentation of the Encyclical where Pope Francis invites us to deepen our understanding of the love of Christ represented in his holy Heart, reminding us that in him we can find the whole Gospel and learn to love. In encountering Christ's love, we are able to weave fraternal bonds, recognize the dignity of every human being and care for our common home, as mentioned in his social encyclicals Laudato si’ y Fratelli tutti. Francis asks the Lord to have compassion on our wounded earth and to pour out his light and love, so that the world may recover what is most important: the heart. This message is part of the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the first manifestation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
The first chapter of the document, entitled «The importance of the heart», explains the need to return to the heart in a world tempted by consumerism and materialism. The Bible describes the heart as the core behind all appearances, where we are really ourselves. The Pope points out that the devaluation of the heart comes from various philosophical currents that have prioritized reason, will and freedom over love. Francis stresses that the heart is what distinguishes us and puts us in communion with others, uniting the fragments of individualism. The spirituality of saints such as Ignatius of Loyola and John Henry Newman teaches us that the Heart of Jesus helps us to understand his words and has social consequences, since the world can change starting from the heart.
The second chapter, «Gestures and words of love.», is dedicated to the gestures with which Christ treats us as friends and shows that God «is closeness, compassion and tenderness» are reflected in his encounters with the Samaritan woman, Nicodemus, the prostitute, the adulteress and the blind man on the road. His gaze, which «scrutinizes the depths of your being», shows that Jesus «pays full attention to people, their concerns and their suffering». In this way, «he admires the good things he recognizes in us,» as in the case of the centurion, even if others ignore them. His most eloquent word of love is being «nailed to the Cross», after weeping for his friend Lazarus and suffering in the Garden of Olives, aware of his own violent death «at the hands of those he loved so much».
In the third chapter, «This is the Heart he loved so much.», the Pope reflects on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, emphasizing that this devotion is not centered on a separate organ, but on the totality of Jesus Christ. Citing the encyclical Haurietis aquas of Pius XII, Pope Francis stresses that the love of the Heart of Christ embraces both divine charity and human sentiments. Furthermore, he mentions the «threefold love» of Christ: sentient, human and divine. Although visions of devout saints can inspire, they are not obligatory for believers. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is essential to Christian life, representing a synthesis of the Gospel. The Pope also calls for a renewal of this devotion to counteract the tendencies of a fleshless spirituality and an excessive focus on external activities and worldly projects.
In the fourth chapter, «Love that gives to drink».», In this chapter, the Sacred Scriptures are reread to recognize Christ in «the one whom they have pierced,» as Zechariah prophesied. This chapter highlights devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, seen as a wellspring of love and purification. Fathers of the Church, such as St. Augustine, and holy women have described experiences of encountering Christ through his wounded side, which symbolizes his heart. The Encyclical mentions St. Francis de Sales and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who promoted this devotion. St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Faustina Kowalska also contributed to this spirituality, focusing on trust and divine mercy. The Pope underlines the importance of the Sacred Heart in the Society of Jesus, highlighting consecrations and spiritual exercises that invite an intimate dialogue with Christ.
The last chapter, «Loving for love».», explores the communitarian, social and missionary dimension of devotion to the Heart of Christ, stressing that love for one's brothers and sisters is the greatest gesture of love for Him. Pope Francis recalls the example of St. Charles de Foucauld as a universal brother who welcomed all suffering humanity. He also stresses the importance of “reparation” and consecration to the Heart of Christ, which must be integrated into the Church's mission to build a civilization of love. Through Christians, the love of Christ will be poured into hearts, building a society of justice, peace and fraternity. Finally, it emphasizes the need for missionaries of love who allow themselves to be conquered by Christ in order to provoke an authentic encounter with his love.
The text concludes with this prayer of Francis:
«I ask the Lord Jesus that from his holy Heart may flow for all of us rivers of living water to heal the wounds we inflict on ourselves, to strengthen our capacity to love and serve, to impel us to learn to walk together towards a just, supportive and fraternal world. This is until we joyfully celebrate together the banquet of the heavenly kingdom. There the risen Christ will be there, who will harmonize all our differences with the light that gushes unceasingly from his open Heart. blessed be he always!».
