There are many of us Missionaries of the Sacred Heart who think that the title given to Mary by Father Jules Chevalier is one of the jewels that we possess as a Society.

Let us recall that to understand this title one should read the text of the title from right to left, as is usual in the works of Jules Chevalier. The important part of this title is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is the centre. Mary is the mother who offers him to us, who desires that we enter into union with him, who longs to form us as she formed her Son Jesus, so that humanity may discover the tenderness, compassion, mercy, strength, power, fidelity and constancy of the love of God revealed in God's Son. Our Marian title is Christocentric.

Mary is the mother who gives, offers and surrenders her Son so as "to make us sons and brothers of God just as she made God son and brother of human beings".

Through the process of deepening his idea of God and the spirituality of the Heart, Jules Chevalier gradually discovered the place of Mary in his life. Even though at first, as a child of his time, he centred his attention on the power of Mary's intercession, little by little he began to focus on the relations existing between her and the Trinity, between her and her Son, between her and us. Mary, in pointing to the Heart of her Son, reminds us of the profound and intimate union and relationship that she had with him. Through her union with him, she knows the unsearchable riches of his Heart and wants to lead us to him, who is the source of a limitless love that gives birth to a new world. She is the associate in the mystery of his Heart and she encourages us to work in the very same mission of her Son for the good of humanity. Mary is close to a world in need and shares in her Son's solicitude for that world. Her song of praise (Lk: 1,46-55), the story of the wedding feast at Cana (Jn: 2,1-11) and her standing at the foot of the cross accompanying the suffering of her Son for all (Jn: 19,25-37) are significant proofs of her preoccupation with suffering humanity. 

The concern of Jules was motivated by an attitude of thankfulness: "The little Society of the Sacred Heart is not the work of man but of God! It came to birth in the Sacred Heart of Jesus under the powerful protection of Mary". Chevalier recalls how they took refuge in Mary at the beginning of the foundation: "This is your cause and it is up to you to save it; stay with us to the end and show that you are the true founder of this work". In the contract that the two young priests made with Mary, they point out that "in gratitude to Mary, they will consider her as their Foundress and Sovereign. They will ally themselves with her in all their works and make her loved in a special way". This thankfulness became a motive for confidence: "We believe that we can affirm with total confidence that Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will never cease to protect our Society if we are faithful to her".

This Marian invocation has been well received by the people. A sign of such acceptance must surely be the extensive inculturization of this image of Mary in different continents.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART
Remember,
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,
the great things the Lord has done for you.
He chose you for his Mother.
He wanted you close to his cross.
He gives you a share in his glory.
He listens to your prayer.
Offer him our prayers of praise and thanksgiving;
present our petitions to him.
Let us live like you
in the love of your Son
that his Kingdom may come.
Lead all men
to the source of living water
that flows from his heart,
spreading over the world
hope and salvation
justice and peace.
See our trust in you;
answer our prayer.
Show yourself always our Mother.
Amen.