More than 500 women from the Cofradías Del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús streamed through the Holy Doors of St. James Cathedral Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn, on their way to celebrate the feast of Jesus’ Most Sacred Heart on Friday, June 3.

An annual observance for the diocesan Confraternity of the Sacred Heart, the feast-day devotion took on added meaning with a pilgrimage to the cathedral for the Holy Year of Mercy. These sisters in the Heart of Christ not only renewed their dedication to Him, but also sought His mercy.

“Today, it is my first time going through the Holy Doors,” said Neida Roman from SS. Peter and Paul Church, Williamsburg. “I’m really excited, anxious.”

Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros, diocesan vicar for Hispanic Concerns, welcomed the women, along with their husbands and children, to recite the rosary, pass through the designated doors and celebrate Mass in Spanish. About 30 women from 13 parishes were consecrated to the Sacred Heart during the liturgy.

Carrying banners, parish groups walked in procession through the doors behind the bishop. Some paused to make the Sign of the Cross, while others knelt in the doorway offering silent prayers.

“Pope Francis said that [going] through the Holy Door is a symbol of conversion, a change within us, remembering that we must also keep open the door of our hearts,” the bishop later said in his homily.

Upon returning to the pews, the bishop led women in the prescribed prayers to gain a plenary indulgence for the Jubilee Year, and reminded them that “la última puerta es Jesucristo,” or “the ultimate door is Jesus Christ.”

Honoring His Heart

Catholics believe it was Christ Himself who requested devotion to His Sacred Heart several centuries ago when He appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun. His Heart was crowned with a cross, encircled with thorns and aflame with love. He asked the faithful to honor His Heart through acts of consecration, reparation and devotion.

For most members of the society, this love for the Sacred Heart was instilled at home among their families. Some were consecrated in their native countries, like their mothers and grandmothers before them. Others found this sisterhood in their parishes.

“It’s a feast that speaks to the heart of the Hispanic woman,” Bishop Cisneros said. “It talks about all that it means to be a loving mother, a loving wife, to be a loving member of the community … because it is there that we learn the love of God.”

“That Heart of His is so big,” said Lydia Figueroa, longtime president of the society at St. Thomas Aquinas-Holy Family, Park Slope. “If everybody just looks at that Heart, they know how beautiful it is to be devoted to Him, to follow His love and bring it to others.”

Cofradías have been bringing Christ to others in the Diocese of Brooklyn for nearly five decades. In recent year, Bishop Cisneros appointed a diocesan team to lead parish-based groups. Deacon Ruben Siavichay is the spiritual leader, Casilda Noboa is a religious advisor and Rose Santisteban serves as president.

Praying for seminarians and vocation is the main purpose of the cofradías, and they meet regularly for Masses, holy hours and novenas. The two main events are an annual retreat and the feast-day Mass.

“Today was even more special,” the bishop noted, “because our Holy Father has asked us to pray for the sanctification of priests. … I tried to remind them how many priests have come into their lives showing them the love of Christ.”

Roman, who was consecrated at the Mass, was humbled by Bishop Cisneros’ words.

“We need to have a humble heart like Jesus,” she said. “We need to pray and say, ‘Please God, give me the heart you have. Help me to have a heart full of love and humility towards others.’”

Prominent among the congregation at the cathedral last Friday evening were women from St. Paul the Apostle, Corona. It is the newest cofradía in the diocese, formed in the last few years under the direction of Rose Batista, society president.

Life-Changing Experience

Meeting Batista and joining the society has changed Juana Filpo’s life.

“I suffered from depression for a long time,” she said. “I used to miss work. I couldn’t get up in the morning.”

Batista noticed Filpo in church and wanted to invite her into the society. Some parishioners tried to discourage Batista, saying Filpo was too sick, too depressed. But Batista was undeterred, saying, “The Heart of Jesus is going to save her.”

With Batista’s support and eventually that of the other women in the group, Filpo had the courage to put her depression and pain in Christ’s Heart, and He has renewed her spirit.

“After a year, I’m free from depression,” Filpo said. “I have Jesus in my life and I love Him. I love the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He has given me this spirituality, this joy for life.”

At the end of Mass, Bishop Cisneros stood on the altar and thrice repeated the words: “Sagrado Corazón de Jesús” (“Sacred Heart of Jesus”).

The entire congregation said thrice in reply: “En Vos confío” (“I trust in You”).