On June 27, 2025, the Cagayan de Oro Formation Community of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ) joyfully celebrated their patronal feast, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This day is very important for the Dehonian Family, as it is a time of spiritual renewal, thanksgiving, and coming together as a community centered on the merciful love of Jesus Christ.

The highlight of the celebration was a concelebrated Mass led by Fr. Niño B. Etulle, SCJ, the Regional Superior of the Philippine Region. In his homily, Fr. Etulle shared that the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is truly a celebration of great love—God’s love for us and our love for Him in return. He reminded everyone that the Sacred Heart is especially caring toward those most in need: the lost, the stray, the broken and wounded, and the weak. He said that we can always turn to the Sacred Heart, because in one way or another we all belong there.

Fr. Etulle explained that the Heart of Jesus is willing to risk everything to find the one who is lost and bring them home with joy. Jesus never stops looking for us. He values each of us so much that He is ready to leave everything behind to bring us back to Him. His Heart is always ready to welcome us. We can have hope knowing that His love will never fail or abandon us.

Right after the homily, four aspirants were formally admitted to the Postulancy Program, marking an important step in their vocational journey and offering hope for the future of the Congregation.

This was followed by the renewal of religious commitment by all SCJs present, including priests and religious in temporary vows. They used the Pact of Love 1878 composed by Fr. Leo John Dehon, a prayerful formula expressing their promise to place themselves completely at the disposal of the Sacred Heart out of pure love, and to devote their lives and energy to the mission of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.

After the Mass, the community shared a joyful fraternal meal with members of the wider Dehonian Family: priests, brothers, Lay Dehonians, Dehonian Youth, and friends. The atmosphere was marked by gratitude and unity, as they celebrated the grace of living in the Heart of Christ.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart, observed on the Friday after the second Sunday after Pentecost, is also a universal day of prayer for the sanctification of priests. For the SCJ Congregation (Sacerdotes Cordis Jesu), it serves as a powerful reminder of their mission to be witnesses of God’s compassionate love in the world today.

Founded in 1878 by Fr. Leo Dehon in France, the SCJ congregation continues to live out his vision—to be united with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to bring healing and hope to a world in need of God’s mercy.

This year’s celebration in Cagayan de Oro was not only a beautiful liturgical event but also an important preparation for the centennial of Fr. Dehon’s death in August 2025, reminding all Dehonians of their call to live “in sinu Cordis Iesu—in the bosom of the Heart of Jesus“.