June – the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The inaugural procession for the Sacred Heart took place in Wandsworth, in the Archdiocese of Southwark, on Saturday 14th June. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm summer’s day.
As we have said: We are Christians who worship locally and wish to align ourselves with the ancient and venerable traditions of public processions and flying the Flag of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As Wandsworth Council fly other flags in June, we requested twice last year that they also fly the Sacred Heart Flag. Our requests were denied. So we decided to fly the Flag ourselves around the Town Hall, and on 14th June we did!
We rejoice that the Procession went so very well, exceeding the expectations we had in January. The numbers were far greater than we had anticipated, with many coming from outside the Parish. After attending Mass at 10.30 a.m., over 60 Faithful, but some people say at least 100, including clergy, processed from St. Mary Magdalen Church to Wandsworth’s Town Hall. Hymns were sung and at the Town Hall, the Epistle (Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19) from the Feast of the Sacred Heart was read, the Borough was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and we all said a prayer written to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Pope Pius IX. After this time of prayer and reflection, the Faithful walked around the Town Hall and then returned to the Church for refreshments and socialising.
The two videos, here and here, show the procession of the Faithful, flags, and balloons. Canon Edwards surprised some of us with the quality and enthusiasm of his singing! These Photos also convey the joyous atmosphere of the day.
We handed out leaflets that provided information about the reason for the procession to onlookers and passersby. We witnessed to the Wandsworth community with information, song, the Word, beautiful visual displays, and a community united in the love of Jesus.
The Wandsworth Borough has now been Consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus! We believe good can come from this outward expression of a deep inward spiritual reality: that of the unfathomable love Jesus has for each of us in attendance and everyone in the Borough.
People have already asked us about the date of the next Procession! We are working on this. If you wish to be notified, please Contact us.
Sacred Heart 24 