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Archdiocese Re-entrusted to Sacred Heart By Joseph Rutchik When Pope Leo XIII entrusted the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it was the fulfillment of a devotion that had grown for over two hundred years. Popes and bishops before him repeatedly stressed the importance of devotion to the Sacred Heart. According to Father James Kubicki, S.J., the entrustment was the result of Pope Leo’s recovery from what the pontiff termed a “dangerous disease” in his 1899 encyclical “Annum Sacrum.” Father Kubicki is the National Director of the Apostleship of Prayer, which promotes devotion to the Sacred Heart. The pope undertook this act at the urging of blessed Maria Drozte zu Vishering to whom the Lord appeared to make known his desire to have the world entrusted to the Sacred Heart. Pope Leo termed the entrustment “the greatest act That was 108 years ago. On June 15, 2007, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan re-entrusted the archdiocese to the Sacred Heart during a concelebrated Mass at the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee. The image of the Sacred Heart used for the celebration was painted by local artist Marilyn Hamann. The event was sponsored the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate. Father Kubicki said that the re-entrustment is an expression of dependence. “It’s a recognition of our complete dependence upon the Lord for everything. Without that awareness of that complete dependence and our call to trust the Lord completely, the world will never have the justice and order that is required for peace,” he said, referring to Pope Leo’s instruction. St. Josaphat’s was filled to capacity well before Mass even began. Priests and religious from the archdiocese, as well as the Knights of Columbus, were in attendance.
During his homily, Archbishop Dolan explored what the Sacred Heart reveals about the Savior of all humanity. “I have always found the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be consoling,” he said. “I'm glad we have a Lord whose heart can break, be wounded with thorns, and literally burn with passionate love and mercy for us.” The Archbishop stressed that the Sacred Heart specifically illustrates Christ’s willingness to suffer. He quoted Pope Benedict’s recent Easter blessing, saying "only a God who loves us to the extent of taking upon Himself our wounds and our pains, especially innocent suffering, is worthy of faith." Archbishop Dolan even admitted a lifelong bias toward the Sacred Heart. “To this day,” he said, “I pray each morning as I was taught in second grade:
Father Kubicki, himself a Milwaukee native, was not certain how many dioceses have been entrusted to the Sacred Heart, but he hopes that the June 15 celebration will serve as a model others will use. “It’s an opportunity for all of us to follow Pope Benedict’s call to recognize that Christianity is not so much a matter of do’s and don’ts, but recognition of God’s love for us,” he said. Adapted from an article by Brian Olzewski of The Catholic Herald |
of my pontificate.” Shortly after the entrustment of the world, Archbishop Frederick Katzer entrusted the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to the Sacred Heart. 
The evening began with the Holy Rosary, led by Father Kubicki, who also serves as spiritual director for the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate. Dick Boldin, director of that apostolate, provided reflections for each of the Sorrowful Mysteries, fitting reminders of just how much Christ was willing to endure for love.
“All for Thee, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
