Roman Catholics commemorate Saturday, June 12, the feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which follows the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in recognition of the Blessed Mother’s ardent love for her Son, Jesus Christ, and her compassionate love for mankind.
Marian devotees traditionally light candles, say their novena prayers, offer flowers, perform acts of devotion, and pray the Holy Rosary before the venerated image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which is often represented with a pierced heart.
In 2019, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) approved the renewal of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary every year until this year 2021 as the Catholic Church in the Philippines observes the 500th year of Christianity in the country. On May 13, 2020, to coincide with the 103rd anniversary of the Fatima apparitions, Church leaders led the national consecration of the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Church officials said, “Devotion to the Immaculate Heart is a beautiful expression of affection, appreciation, and gratitude for the Holy Mother. We ask Mary to help us, her spiritual children, to stay united in friendship with her Son and never separate ourselves by sin.”
On Dec. 8, 1942, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Pius XII consecrated the Church and the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1944, he extended the feast to the Universal Church.