by Dennis Augustine
Yesterday morning, during a peaceful bike ride through Saratoga, California, I felt an unexpected pull to stop by Sacred Heart Church and School. The outdoor space was quietly alive with beauty, I noticed decorations going up—assuming they were primarily for graduation season, I took several photos to share with my sister Josie in New Jersey—a devout Catholic—and continued on my way.
It wasn’t until later, I realized the deeper meaning of my visit. Today is the first Friday of June—a day deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition that I was raised in, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Christ. Unintentionally, I had stepped into a sacred moment.
To Catholics, the Sacred Heart is a symbol of divine love: a love wounded and unyielding; pierced, yet burning with mercy. But its message reaches far beyond Catholicism. It resonates with anyone who has ever loved, has ever experienced love, heartbreak, forgiveness, or hope again.
In a video released by the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV expressed the prayer intention for June, which is to foster compassion in the world. This aligns with the traditional Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart, which emphasizes love, mercy, and empathy. This message serves as a reminder to all of us to reflect on the importance of compassion in our daily lives, regardless of our religious backgrounds or beliefs.
A heart that walks with the weary, welcomes the forgotten, and transforms suffering into compassion—a heart that is open to all seasons and all people. In these challenging times, it is a heart that is truly remarkable.
May this reminder, wherever we may be on our spiritual journey, inspire us to lead with love, to lift others up, and to let kindness be our daily devotion—a core value that I have encountered in various religious teachings and teachers I took the time to study and interact with over the years.
