The Catholic Church in her desire to encourage and validate the piety of the faithful has in modern times dedicated each month of the year to a particular aspect of our Faith. August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. While the reasons for August’s dedication may not be immediately apparent, a closer examination reveals a profound connection forged during a tumultuous era.
Let’s explore the significance of this month’s dedication and learn more about how we can join the Church and Her saints in the enduring devotion to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
Why is August Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?
When we look at the liturgical calendar we see that the major Marian feast in August is the Assumption on August 15. Eight days later we celebrate the Queenship of Mary. Yet, August is the month of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. This is due to historical events and a change in the Liturgical calendar after Vatican II.
The association of August with the Immaculate Heart is a fairly recent development, stemming from the World War II era. The pope at the time, Venerable Pope Pius XII held a deep devotion to Our Lady of Fatima who in 1917 told the shepherd children “[Jesus] wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.” Although Catholics throughout the ages venerated Our Lady’s heart, Pope Pius had long desired to make this devotion more universal and considered establishing a feast day to promote it throughout the Church.
At the beginning of his pontificate, the world was engaged in a war in which many atrocities were occurring and the Church was suffering under the attack of Modernism. Amid the widespread turmoil of the 1940s, the pope chose to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in hopes of bringing “peace among nations, freedom for the Church, the conversion of sinners, the love of purity and the practice of virtue” (Decree of May 4, 1944. Catholic Culture). This same pope also defined the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin as a dogma of the Faith.
He also made his long-held hope a reality by designating August 22 as the Feast of the Immaculate Heart. The initial establishment of the feast in August is likely the reason for the month’s dedication to Our Lady’s Heart. However, after the Liturgical changes of Vatican II, the feast was moved to the Saturday following the Feast of the Sacred Heart. It was replaced in August by the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, also promoted by Pope Pius XII. Despite the feast day changes, the month of August remained dedicated to the Immaculate Heart.
Key Catholic Feast Days in August
August is a month rich in liturgical celebrations. Some of the notable feast days in August include:
- St. Alphonsus Liguori, on August 1. This Doctor of the Church, whose ardent love for The Blessed Virgin inspired him to write a lengthy treatise in defense of Marian devotion called The Glories of Mary.
- The Transfiguration of the Lord, on August 6, celebrates Our Lord’s glorification on Mount Tabor in the presence of his disciples Peter, James, and John.
- St. Dominic, on August 8. He is the original promulgator of Our Lady’s Rosary. She promised him to protect the Dominican order, which through Mary’s intercession, would produce many saints throughout the ages.
- St Maximillian Kolbe, on August 14. The 20th-century Franciscan priest and martyr who founded the Militia of the Immaculate. His life and ministry were dedicated to making Our Lady known and loved, believing that through Her Immaculate Heart, the world would come to Christ.
- The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on August 15, a First Class feast day, commemorates the dogma held by the Catholic Church that Mary, the Mother of God, the living Tabernacle was taken up into Heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. The Assumption teaches that unlike human death, which involves the separation of the soul from the body, Mary Immaculate, being free from original sin was assumed into Heaven in her complete and glorified state.
- The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on August 22, celebrates Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. The feast acknowledges Mary’s unique role in salvation history as the Queen Mother of Jesus, who is the King of kings. This date was formerly The Feast of the Immaculate Heart and many of the faithful still commemorate Our Lady’s Heart with Her Queenship on this day.
Catholic Saints and the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Veneration of the Heart of Mary dates back to the earliest days of the Church, with saints and theologians writing of Her sorrows and ardent charity for sinners as she stood under the cross of Christ, offering Her Divine Son to the Father. Throughout the centuries numerous saints have held a deep devotion to the Immaculate Heart – often referred to as the Sacred Heart of Mary until Our Lady’s apparition at Fatima. Among the saints most devoted to this pure Heart are St. John Eudes, St. Louis de Monfort, The Children of Fatima, and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
St. John Eudes was a French missionary priest known for his tireless efforts to convert sinners to the Faith and form priests in devotion to the Sacred Hearts. He is called the Apostle of the Devotion to the Admirable Heart of Mary and credited for the propagation of widespread devotion to the Her Heart. St. John authored an in-depth work, The Admirable Heart of Mary, explaining the glories of this Heart, the foundation for the devotion, and outlining the reasons and methods for practicing it. In it, he exclaims:
“Blessed art thou, O most Holy Heart, for having loved and desired nothing but Him who alone is amiable and desirable! Blessed art thou for having established thy joy and thy contentment in loving and honoring Him, who alone is capable of satisfying the heart of man, and for having known no other grief than that caused by the offenses committed against His Divine Majesty!” (Eudes, p. 17).
St. Louis de Montfort, a prominent figure in Mariology, was a French priest of the 17th and 18th centuries. He is renowned for his dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his teaching of the faithful to go to Jesus through Mary. His famous work, True Devotion to Mary, instructs the faithful on the attributes and privileges of Mary and emphasizes the importance of consecration to Mary Immaculate, as the way to grow closer to Jesus and live a life of holiness. To Mary’s heart, he prayed,
“That I would have no other heart but Thine to love God with a love as pure and ardent as Thine.”
At Fatima, Our Lady appeared multiple times to the little shepherd children, Blessed Lucia, St. Francisco, and St. Jacinta. She spoke of the sins of the world greatly offending God and asked for the children to do penance and offer sacrifices, for the love of Jesus, “the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” The Blessed Virgin shared with them warnings and requests from Heaven. The requests included the consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart, the Five First Saturdays devotion, and the daily Rosary. The visions she granted these young saints were at times grave and frightening, but She assured them that,
“In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar, ordered his entire ministry to the praise and glory of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In response to the ever more militant Luciferian force of the Freemasons against the Church, he established a spiritual army called the Militia of the Immaculata to win souls for the Queen of Heaven. St. Maximilian consecrated all its activity to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart and worked to spread devotion to Her Miraculous Medal. He carried a pocketful of them at all times and called them his spiritual “bullets.” St. Maximilian believed and taught,
“If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother.”
7 Ways to Grow in Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this August
Here are a few steps we can take to grow in our love and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in August:
- Consecrate yourself and your home to The Immaculate Heart of Mary and pray The Shorter Act of Daily Consecration each day (see below).
- Keep an image of the Immaculate Heart in your home. Many faithful keep the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts on a prominent wall to show their fidelity to Jesus and Mary.
- Pray daily the Litany of the Immaculate Heart or the Prayer to the Immaculate Heart (see below).
- Contemplate what Mary pondered in her heart as you pray the Mysteries of the Rosary and meditate on the events of her life and the life of Jesus.
- Memorize or meditate on Scripture verses and places in the Catechism that highlight the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51, CCC #964
- Begin this August to go to Confession and Mass on the Five First Saturdays of the month, keeping the request of Our Lady of Fatima.
- Learn and sing the Salve Regina with your family or friends.
Further Reading on the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Several books provide valuable insights for those interested in deepening their understanding of this devotion.
- The Biblical Roots of Marian Consecration: Devotion to the Immaculate Heart in Light of Scripture, by Shane Kapler, discusses the Biblical basis for Marian Consecration and how we can love Jesus through Mary’s Immaculate heart.
- Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fr. Nicholas A. Norman, gives Christians a simple and practical method for consecration and reasons for it in light of our times and the Fatima message.
- Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary – Sophia Institute Press, by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, gives detailed instructions for families with young children through each of the 33 mini-retreat days recommended by Saint Louis de Montfort.
- Preparation for Total Consecration to the Immaculate according to Saint Maximillian M. Kolbe, by Fr. Matthias M. Sasko, FI. A day-by-day guide for 33 days of preparation for Consecration
The Power of Her Heart
August as the month devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary gives us the opportunity to engage with the saints in a beautiful tradition that deepens our relationship with the Blessed Mother. Throughout this month, the faithful are invited to reflect on Mary’s pure heart, her steadfast love, and her towering virtue. The devotion serves as a reminder of the power residing in Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart – the power to raise us up to Christ and conquer the enemy of our souls. As we navigate the challenges of the world, the flesh, and the devil, Mary’s virtuous Heart becomes a guiding light and a fortress, inspiring us to emulate her and follow her closely as she opens for us the gates of Heaven.
Prayers Honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary
There are several prayers dedicated to honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Catholic tradition:
Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Heavenly beauty and splendor of the Father, You are the most valued Heavenly treasure.
New Eve, immaculate in soul, spirit, and body, Created of the godly seed by the Spirit of God, You are the spiritual Mother of mankind.
Pure Virgin, full of grace then and now, Your whole being was raised Heavenly in full glory, to be elevated above all the hosts within the Kingdom of God.
O Heavenly Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I recognize the glory of your highest title, The Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Loving Mother, dispenser of endless blessings, You who continuously intercede on our behalf, please present my need before your loving Son, Jesus.
(In your own words, make your special request here. Speak to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as you would speak to another person, begging your Heavenly Mother to plead with Jesus on your behalf, that you be granted this special request.)
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, I know that you are now presenting my need before Jesus, for you have never turned away those in dire need.
Mother dearest, I await your favorable answer, submitting myself to the Divine will of the Lord, for all glories are His forever and ever.
Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially… (special intention).
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.
Amen.
Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, like unto the Heart of God, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, united to the Heart of Jesus, etc.
Heart of Mary, instrument of the Holy Ghost…
Heart of Mary, sanctuary of the Divine Trinity…
Heart of Mary, tabernacle of God Incarnation…
Heart of Mary, immaculate from thy creation…
Heart of Mary, full of grace…
Heart of Mary, blessed among all hearts…
Heart of Mary, throne of glory…
Heart of Mary, most humble… Heart of Mary, holocaust of Divine Love…
Heart of Mary, fastened to the Cross with Jesus Crucified…
Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted…
Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners…
Heart of Mary, hope of the agonizing…
Heart of Mary, seat of mercy…
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us
V. Immaculate Mary, meek and humble of heart,
Make our hearts like unto the Heart of Jesus.
Let Us Pray:
O most merciful God, Who, for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the miserable, was pleased that the Most Pure Heart of Mary should be most like in charity and pity to the Divine Heart of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, grant that we should commemorate this sweet and loving Heart may by the merits and intercession of the same Blessed Virgin, merit to be found like to the Heart of Jesus, through the same Christ Our Lord.
R. Amen.
