On June 28th, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary — a feast brimming with tenderness, mystery, and power. Nestled right after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this day draws us into the radiant and sorrowful love of Mary, the Mother of God, whose heart was pierced yet remained ever faithful.
But how did this devotion arise? And why does it matter today?
What Is the Immaculate Heart of Mary?
The Immaculate Heart refers not just to Mary’s physical heart, but to the very center of her being — her interior life, her joys and sorrows, her virtues, and above all, her pure and unwavering love for God.
The word “immaculate” means without stain, and as the Church teaches, Mary was preserved from all sin, even original sin, from the first moment of her conception. Her heart is therefore uniquely whole, fully ordered toward God, and utterly compassionate toward us.
A Glimpse into the Historical Roots
Devotion to Mary’s heart can be traced back to the early Church Fathers. Saints like John Damascene and Anselm spoke of her interior life with reverence. But it wasn’t until St. Bernard of Clairvaux and later St. Bridget of Sweden that a more explicit devotion to her heart began to take form.
The devotion gained real momentum in the 17th century with St. John Eudes, who ardently promoted both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was the first to compose a Mass and Office in honor of the Immaculate Heart and was instrumental in spreading the idea that the hearts of Jesus and Mary are deeply united in their mission of redemption.
Later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, this devotion became even more central — especially after the apparitions at Fatima in 1917, where Our Lady explicitly asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and urged the faithful to practice the First Saturday Devotions.
Why Do We Celebrate It the Day After the Sacred Heart?
The Church, in her wisdom, places the feasts side by side. The Sacred Heart of Jesus reveals God’s divine love poured out for humanity — wounded and burning with mercy. The next day, we look to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, perfectly receptive to that love and fully cooperating with God’s redemptive plan.
Their hearts beat in harmony. Mary's heart is united to her Son’s — she stood by Him at the Cross, shared in His sufferings, and continues to intercede for us with maternal tenderness.
Seven Sorrows, One Flame of Love
Traditional devotion to the Immaculate Heart includes reflecting on Mary’s Seven Sorrows, especially as foretold by Simeon: “And a sword will pierce your own soul also” (Luke 2:35). These sorrows deepen our understanding of Mary’s suffering and make her a compassionate companion in our trials.
And yet, her heart is not only sorrowful — it is triumphant. Her Magnificat resounds with joy, her faith never wavered, and her maternal love never fails.
What This Feast Means for Us
Today is not just a celebration of Mary’s heart — it’s an invitation. An invitation to purity, to trust, to deeper intimacy with Jesus. Through her Immaculate Heart, we are drawn ever closer to the Sacred Heart.
As Pope Pius XII wrote in Haurietis Aquas, “To Mary, we must go, to Mary, we must fly.” She is the most direct path to her Son.
So today, let us consecrate ourselves and our families to her Immaculate Heart. Let us imitate her virtues. Let us ask her to form our hearts to resemble her own — faithful, humble, and full of grace.
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our refuge and the way that leads us to God.”