Pure Heart of Mary, devotion to the
A special phase of Christian devotion to the Mother of God. Devotion to the pure Heart of Mary was inspired by the love of that Heart for God and man, and also, from the desire to honor the Immaculate Heart which was a symbol of all that was purest and best, of all heroic virtue, of charity, of purity, of humility. Public devotion to the Heart of Mary was first promulgated by Saint John Eudes. founder of the Society of Jesus and Mary (Eudists). He had the feast celebrated at Autun in 1648, organized religious societies to promote this devotion, and composed an office for the feast. The devotion was given new impetus by the apparition of the miraculous medal and the establishment of the archconfraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners, at Our Lady of Victories, Paris. The office and Mass were approved by the Congregation of Rites on 21 July 1855. The feast is celebrated on the Sunday after the octave of the Assumption.