Help Us, Dear Lady

Today is both the feast day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our Lady’s feast day is fixed on June 27, while the Sacred Heart of Jesus is tied to Pentecost Sunday, which all goes back to Easter.

Sacred Heart falls 19 days after Pentecost Sunday, which comes 50 days after Easter Sunday. When I was a girl growing up every Catholic home, school, church or hall displayed the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was key to our faith, almost a way of identifying fellow Catholics.

The image of Jesus exposing His Heart comes from the visions of Christ experienced by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Unlike her fellow sisters of her order, Margaret Mary was often clumsy and thought to be slow. She struggled to meditate quietly, though she prayed with all her heart that she be somehow transformed to imitate the other nuns. On December 27,. 1674 her prayers were answered in a most unexpected way.

Christ Himself appeared to her, showing her His Sacred Heart, now recognized as a symbol of His love for humanity. Jesus asked Margaret Mary to establish a devotion to His Sacred Heart by encouraging frequent Communion and setting aside one hour of prayer each Thursday night in memory of His agony in Gethsemane. It would be 75 years after her death before the Feast of the Sacred Heart was officially celebrated in France, and almost 100 years beyond that before the feast was extended to the entire Catholic Church. Throughout the world Catholics began a Novena to the Sacred Jesus nine days ago. Many will end this Novena by Consecrating themselves and their hearts to His Sacred Heart through prayer.

O SACRED Heart of Jesus,
filled with infinite Love,
broken by my ingratitude,
pierced by my sins,
yet loving me still;
accept the consecration
that I make to Thee
of all that I am
and all that I have.

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I find it beautiful that this year both the Feast of Perpetual Help and the devotion to Christ’s sacred heart be celebrated together. After all, Mary has pointed us to the love and grace awaiting us in her Son, Jesus Christ.

Today as part of our continuing Friday Penance I thought I’d share a meal with you that we’ve enjoyed before.

Sun-Kissed Ravioli with Cherry Tomatoes and Asparagus Tips
2 cups Cherry Tomatoes
1 bunch Asparagus
3 Garlic Coves
1 package Ricotta Cheese Ravioli
3 tablespoons Basil Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Reserved Pasta Water as needed
Basil garnish

Cut tomatoes in half. Trim asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces. Peel and finely mince garlic. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place frozen Ravioli into the water, return to a full boil. Cook according to package instructions, usually about 5 minutes once the water has returned to a boil. Once the Ravioli begins to float, it should be ready. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain Ravioli and set aside.

While the water comes to a full rolling boil and the ravioli cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the asparagus pieces to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and continue to cook for another 5 or 6 minutes, until the asparagus are tender and the tomatoes have burst, releasing their juices. Add the garlic, sauté for about a minute, until fragrant. Season with salt to taste.

Add drained ravioli, scatter the snipped basil over the entire dish. Gently toss with to coat pasta in the vegetable renderings. Slowly add reserved pasta water to create a sauce. Simmer to allow sauce to thicken slightly and the ravioli to heat through.

Garnish with a few basil “flowers” and serve the pasta straight from the skillet with warm bread.

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God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.