Philippines’ National Shrine to Launch Sacred Heart Exhibit for 350th Jubilee Year

In celebration of the 350th Jubilee Year of the Apparition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart is inviting the faithful to a special devotional exhibit opening this August at the Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City, Philippines.

The exhibit, which highlights the enduring power and relevance of the Sacred Heart devotion, will officially launch on August 1, 2025, coinciding with the First Friday devotion. It will be open to the public from August 2 to October 31 during regular mall hours at the Skypark, MOA Sanctuary, located on the mall's fourth level.

“This is not just an exhibit, but a meaningful opportunity for the faithful to deepen their awareness of the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,” said Fr. Roy Bellen, Shrine Team Ministry Member and President of DZRV846, in an interview.

Fr. Bellen emphasized that the exhibit is not merely a visual presentation but also a space for spiritual reflection on the Lord’s unending compassion.

“This year marks the 350th anniversary of when our Lord revealed, through a saint, His overflowing love for mankind, despite sin and the lack of love shown by humanity in return,” he added.

The exhibit is part of the National Shrine’s ongoing efforts to revive and promote devotion to the Sacred Heart, especially among younger generations and mall-goers who may encounter it in a more accessible setting.

“We invite everyone to visit the exhibit, it will help deepen our understanding of the devotion and strengthen our faith,” Bellen said.

Among the featured highlights are:

• The original painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. Arman Tangi, SSP
• Sacred relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and St. Claude de la Colombière, two saints closely associated with the origins and spread of the devotion

The devotion to the Sacred Heart traces back to the mystical visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun in Paray-le-Monial, France. Between 1673 and 1675, she experienced several apparitions of Jesus. In the most significant one, known as the Great Apparition of June 1675, Jesus revealed His Heart, crowned with thorns, aflame with love, and bearing a cross. He requested that a feast in honor of His Sacred Heart be celebrated on the Friday following the octave of Corpus Christi.

Though initially met with skepticism, the devotion gained momentum through the support of St. Claude de la Colombière and was eventually recognized by the Church. In 1856, Pope Pius IX officially established the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

This Jubilee celebration seeks not only to honor a key moment in Catholic history but also to rekindle a personal and communal relationship with the merciful Heart of Christ, a message still vital in today’s world.