Christ statue survives church bombing

MANILA – Amidst the ruins inside a Catholic Church following a bomb attack by Abu Sayyaf terrorists on Christmas day in Jolo, Sulu, the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the main altar remained intact.

The improvised explosive device (IED) which was detonated by remote control ripped off the rooftop of the church but the debris fell a few inches from the altar, sparing Christ’s statue and the huge Belen nearby.

Eleven people, including the officiating priest were injured in the early morning blast. There were about 100 faithful inside the church located inside a Camp Asturias, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province of Sulu.

A full dress investigation is going on how the bombers were able to sneak into the heavily guarded compound. A massive manhunt is underway.

Millions of Catholic devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are all over the world, including the Philippines which has 80 percent of the population belongs the Roman Catholic.

As one unknown author says “Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is not a uniquely Roman Catholic phenomenon, although the practice was first popularized there. Its roots are scriptural. Christ himself said: ‘Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.’ (Mt 11:29).”

According to the doctrine of the Catholic Church devotees to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will receive blessing, protection, healing, unity, peace, joy, prosperity, and miracles of grace.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be traced to Sister Marguerite Marie Alacoque who claimed to have seen Jesus in her visions that represent Christ divine love for humanity.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is depicted in a flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, surrounded by a crown of thorns with a cross and bleeding.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost.