ASIA/MYANMAR – A new church opens amidst conflict to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Yangon – A church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a devotion that is gaining increasing importance in Myanmar during a time of war and suffering – was opened in the Archdiocese of Yangon, a city in central Myanmar, to mark the establishment of a new parish. This brings the total number of parishes in the archdiocese to 53. The Catholic Sacred Heart Church in the village of Sauk Wain Gyi was consecrated in mid-February and entrusted to Father Leo Kyaw Win, the first priest of the new parish. The Sacred Heart Parish sees itself as a central hub for the Catholic communities of several villages on the outskirts of Yangon. Over 800 faithful participated in the Eucharistic celebration, during which the new church was officially handed over to the community. In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun of Yangon wanted to emphasize that the keystone is love, which flows from the Sacred Heart: “Love is omnipresent. One can say that love is the origin of everything. God is love,” he said. Inspired by the Gospel story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, Bishop Raymond highlighted that “true compassion transcends feelings and is expressed through action.” He reminded that “God’s love transcends boundaries and reaches even the most difficult moments of life,” such as those currently experienced by the Burmese people in a country ravaged by civil war for five years. In a brief message to the faithful, Archbishop Charles Maug Bo of Yangon drew a parallel between the village of Sauk Wain Gyi and Nazareth. “Although Nazareth was considered insignificant, it gave rise to the Redeemer of the world,” he emphasized. The small village of Sauk Wain Gyi has already gifted the Catholic community with two priests, the Cardinal said. He expressed his hope that the new parish would become a center for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a source of peace and charity. The establishment of the Sacred Heart Parish is part of efforts to strengthen the pastoral work of the Church of Yangon in rural areas and is intended to be a sign of growth and evangelization that continues even in times of hardship, deprivation, and uncertainty. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is based on Christ’s love for humanity, symbolized by his pierced heart. Originating from the revelations to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, it is expressed through prayer, personal and communal consecration, and the celebration of the Eucharist on the first Fridays of the month, which promises spiritual graces and peace.

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