Amid the challenges of living a Christian life in the modern world, a global confraternity is seeking to remind Catholics that prayer is not limited to spiritual exercises, but can also be found in the offering of daily tasks — a practice it promotes as a way to honor and console the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Archconfraternity of the Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was founded in 1863 in France by Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart Bernaud, who was inspired by her Visitation order’s devotion to the Sacred Heart, as well as an awareness of the challenges of living a devout life in the modern world.
According to the archconfraternity’s website, Sister Marie drew on St. Francis de Sales’ assertion in Introduction to the Devout Life that all baptized people are called to live their daily lives with a simple spirituality adapted to their means, temperament, and “state and condition.” Sister Marie sought to offer devotion to the Sacred Heart in a way accessible to those living in the world, providing a practical way to offer love to Jesus.
The founding principle of the archconfraternity is a daily “Hour of Guard” spent consoling the Heart of Jesus. Each member is asked to select an hour every day to “stand guard” without changing their usual activities. Rather, members are encouraged to continue their daily tasks in a deeper awareness of God’s presence, offering their work to the Sacred Heart in praise and reparation.
According to the archconfraternity’s website, the names of members are written around a clock face marking the 12 hours of the day, creating a “crown of adorers ‘taking up their guard’” to console the Sacred Heart, one after the other. Having members across the world in different time zones ensures that the Sacred Heart is accompanied at all times.
Though Sister Marie began the archconfraternity in a small cell, it quickly spread throughout the world. Despite facing initial theological debate, the archconfraternity received the approbation of Pope Blessed Pius IX, who called himself “the first Guard of Honor” in 1864, according to the website.
The archconfraternity is still active today, continuing its mission of saturating modern work with prayer and providing Catholics with the opportunity to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus with their daily tasks.
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