Christ the King in pole position
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Miracles — and multiplications — are already abounding in connection with the Souls and Liberty (S&L) billboard in Times Square.
What was once the huge image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus gracing Times Square at the corner of 43rd St. and 8th Ave. has multiplied into two huge digital billboards at Broadway and 46th St.!
'We've heard of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes — this is the miracle of the multiplication of billboards!' — Souls and Liberty supporter
The new location is reminding even more millions of passersby — native New Yorkers and visitors from around the world — of God’s merciful love.
The change in venue from prime real estate in Manhattan to real prime real estate is a sure sign of God's ever-increasing blessings.
'Jesus is in pole position, now — His rightful place.' — Souls and Liberty supporter
But the change from one location to another — a touch of Divine Providence really — began as many such moments do — with a seeming setback.
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Striking fear into our hearts
Clear Channel Outdoor, the company working with S&L to showcase the Sacred Heart of Jesus billboard in the Big Apple for the month of June, contacted us last Thursday to tell us "things had changed."
Uh, oh. These words set off alarm bells for us.
Brian Fenn, the company's account representative, phoned to say the billboard had to be removed the following week – that was just six days into the month of the Sacred Heart!
As Fenn explained, some internal error had been made and the billboard space S&L had reserved for $16,000 was double-booked.
Hence, our beautiful, holy, long-dreamed-for 60’ x 20’ billboard of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, mounted atop the Westin Hotel, had to be removed the next week – instead of being up for the entire month!
If there was a time to pray, "Jesus, I trust in you," this was one of those times.
S&L was routed into a video conference meeting with David Miller, marketing manager for Clear Channel Outdoor, who was expected to weigh in on the looming disaster.
Sadness turned into rejoicing
We were bracing for a "sorry-but-nothing-we-can-do-about-it" mantra. Instead, however, Miller proffered a spectacular — nay, Providential — solution:
Clear Channel would create TWO digital billboards at the corner of 47th Street and Broadway with 5 minutes per hour exposure for the remainder of the month.
Miller added that the normal charge for this particular site is $98,000, but due to their mistake, our original deal would be honored.
The marketing manager confirmed that the new billboard location would attract hundreds of thousands more views daily. He added that tickets for four Broadway shows, as well as Yankees and Mets games, are purchased within eye view of the site.
'So many standing in line for Yankee tickets will see the Sacred Heart of Jesus! What better to rest our eyes on!' — Souls and Liberty supporter
Souls and Liberty would have the remaining three weeks of June in the heart of
New York City for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, after all! Millions of passersby will still be reminded that June indeed belongs to Him!
'The Sacred Heart of Jesus billboards in Times Square remind me of Easter time in the 1950s and 60s when Manhattan would light with three Crosses on its tallest skyscrapers.' — Souls and Liberty supporter
Clear Channel Outdoor works with other parties across America to erect Sacred Heart of Jesus billboards.
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The Centuries-Old Catholic Tradition
The tradition of honoring Jesus' Sacred Heart during the month of June dates back over 800 years, with renewed interest emerging in the 17th century. In 1675, Jesus appeared to a French nun, Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque, with His heart visible outside His chest — and on fire — surrounded by a crown of thorns.
Throughout the course of multiple apparitions, the nun was made to understand the immense love Jesus has for humanity, and how she must promulgate that message.
'My Heart is so intense in its love for men ... that not being able to contain within it the flames of its ardent charity, they must be transmitted through all means,' Our Lord told Sr. Margaret Mary
According to Sr. Margaret Mary, Jesus made 12 promises to those who would promote devotion to His Sacred Heart. His promises are:
I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
I will establish peace in their homes.
I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
Sinners will find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
I will bless every place in which an image of my heart is exposed and honored.
I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
Other Cities Graced by Jesus
S&L is also involved with multiple Sacred Heart of Jesus billboards going up throughout the US. Locations include:
Detroit, Michigan
Orlando (Disneyworld), Florida
Hollywood, California
For anyone wanting to support the effort —
S&L purchased the Times Square billboard and is asking for you to donate to help defray the costs. Please prayerfully consider a contribution to this effort for Our Lord by clicking here to donate.
Christ is King!
Please pray with us: "Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!"
Dr. Barbara Toth has a doctorate in rhetoric and composition from Bowling Green State University. She has taught at universities in the US, China and Saudi Arabia. Her work in setting up a writing center at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahmen University, an all-women's university in Riyadh, has been cited in American journals. Toth has published academic and non-academic articles and poems internationally.
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