Originally published at National Catholic Register
For more than 45 years, the Knights of Columbus Pilgrim Icon Program has brought sacred images to Catholic parishes around the world for prayer and devotion. On Jan. 3, the Knights launched a new Pilgrim Icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus program during a Holy Hour at St. Mary Church in New Haven, Connecticut.
During the Holy Hour, an icon depicting the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus painted by Pompeo Batoni in 1767 was displayed. This reproduction of the original image is one of more than 300 icons, each bearing the apostolic blessing of Pope Francis, that are now traveling around the world as part of the Knights’ Pilgrim Icon Program.
The original image is currently venerated in the Church of the Gesú in Rome.
The new Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Pilgrim Icon is seen as Father Ryan Lerner prays during a Sacred Heart Holy Hour at St. Mary Church in New Haven, Connecticut, Jan. 3, 2025. Credit: Paul Haring
The prayer service to launch the new icon included readings from Scripture and reflections from Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart as well as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayers to the Sacred Heart, and time for prayer
