The Cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Sacerdotal Life According to St. Józef Sebastian Pelczar
Abstract
St. Józef Sebastian Pelczar (1842-1924) was bishop of the Diocese of Przemyśl in the years 1899-1924 and was deeply devoted to the aim of sanctification of his own life and of all his faithful. He was an ardent apostle of the cult of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. He saw this cult as an effective tool on the way to sanctity. He particularly recommended his priests to engage in the cult, since they are the guides of the faithful to sanctity. This grace and this task that is given them by God is only attainable through their personal sanctity. Among a variety of paths towards perfection, the cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is of utmost importance. St. Józef Sebastian argues in his works that this cult is a straight way to salvation for the priest and the faithful under his care. Personal practicing of the cult changes the priest and shapes him into the image of Christ. Thanks to this practice, and thanks to his reaching for the source of Divine Love in the Eucharist, the priest becomes an effective shepherd of his flock. Priests who cultivate the cult among the faithful help themselves and the faithful to reach eternal happiness. Human life changed by the cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus witnesses a transformation of earthly temporality towards heavenly eternality.
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