This episode was supposed to be a regular chat… 

Until Father Dave and Deacon Bob decided to take a break. 

So instead, enjoy this special supercut episode celebrating Pope Francis’s newest encyclical, Corde Amavit (He Loved Us), with a heart-to-heart on the Sacred Heart. 

They unpack Pope Francis’s bold reflections on love, suffering, piety, and empathy—and why the Sacred Heart still speaks powerfully to our anxious, distracted world. Their reflections wind through stories of Pope statues on clearance, Deacon Bob’s favorite icons, and the quiet call to slow down, forgive, and let our hearts be changed. 

Plus: Counselor Troi, pierced sides, holy hours, and the Box of Joy: an initiative that could transform a child’s Christmas! 

Don’t miss this heartfelt compilation reminding us why the Sacred Heart still matters—especially today. 

 

Highlighted Sections 

(00:00) A Box of Joy and a Pope Statue Sale 
Deacon Bob opens the episode with an appeal for Box of Joy, a way to share Christmas with children in poverty. He also tells the tale of buying a Pope Francis statue on clearance—and why pity can be a spiritual act of mercy. 

(02:05) He Loved Us: Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart 
Fr. Dave and Deacon Bob introduce the encyclical Corde Amavit, a deeply personal letter about the heart of Jesus. They reflect on its emotional depth, its call to compassion, and how it reveals the Pope’s heart for a wounded world. 

(09:01) Where Did Our Hearts Go? 
We’ve become people of the head, not the heart. Pope Francis challenges the modern world’s obsession with intellect and technology—and invites us to rediscover devotion, empathy, and childlike wonder. 

(18:44) Saints, Statues, and the Pierced Side of Christ 
From St. Augustine and St. Margaret Mary to sacred art and the Eucharist, the encyclical draws on centuries of heart-centered theology and mystical vision. The Sacred Heart isn’t just an image—it’s a real encounter with Christ. 

(34:09) Forgiveness, Free Will, and the Mission of Love 
In the final reflections, Pope Francis reminds us that love must be shared. Reparation, mercy, and self-giving love flow from the Sacred Heart. God won’t force his love—but invites us to choose it, live it, and share it with others. 

 

Resources Mentioned 

• Box of Joy – Cross Catholic Outreach – Send a Christmas gift to a child in need 

• Corde Amavit – Pope Francis’s 2024 encyclical on the Sacred Heart (available online) 

• Return to the Heart by Dr. Shane Owens – Augustinian spirituality of the Sacred Heart 

• Examination Journal – Daily reflection tool 

Make this the best Christmas ever for children growing up in poverty around the world by donating a Box of Joy®. Your gift will surprise a child with what could be their first Christmas gift! Each box is filled with toys, clothing, school supplies, a rosary and a story about Jesus. Donate a Box of Joy at boxofjoy.org.
Box of Joy is a ministry of Cross Catholic Outreach.

 

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