Italy in the Heart of Christ

Divine Appeal Reflection - 18

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 18: "Italy, the nation favoured by God! All its regions have the communist seal. She betrays My Heart and drags souls down to perdition and chases blindly after My children who want to follow Me."

Divine Appeal 18 is not a political slogan but a wounded cry of love from the Heart of Christ, echoing the prophetic laments of Scripture. When Our Adorable Jesus speaks of a nation “favoured by God,” He recalls how God elects not for privilege but for responsibility (cf. Dt 7:6–11; Rom 9:4–5). Ideologies cannot erase the spiritual memory of Italy, which has been sanctified by the blood of martyrs, the witness of apostles, and the See of Peter. However, Scripture demonstrates that when a people forsake God, the void is swiftly filled by alternatives that provide unity without love and justice without truth (cf. Wis 14:12–31; Ps 106:34–39). The reference to a “seal” suggests not merely a system, but an interior mark—a mindset that excludes God from public and private life. Augustine and other saints cautioned that any earthly city constructed without considering the City of God would eventually turn against humanity. As the Catechism states (cf. CCC 1869), the presence of such immoral institutions is the result of a long process consisting of individual choices that are then accepted as the new social standards. The betrayal of the Heart of Christ thus begins to take place in very delicate but important ways when the divine is ignored, prayer is not practiced, and the moral sense becomes weakened. Jesus is not condemning; he is, in fact, grieving over the situation with a love that is similar to the way He does when lamenting Jerusalem (cf. Lk 19:41–42). His words are, at the same time, piercing and yet, through it all, a secret blessing that is meant to reignite the flames of hope, the souls of sinners to be awakened for repentance and the hearts to be drawn back into love, attentive communion with Him again.

The tragedy named in this appeal is spiritual before it is social: “She betrays My Heart and drags souls down to perdition.” The Bible continuously equates unfaithfulness to God with the loss of moral compass (cf. Hos 4:1–6; Is 1:2–4). Here perdition is not just considered future damnation but also present disorientation—a life separated from truth, meaning, and grace. Pope Benedict XVI often warned that when God is excluded, man himself is diminished, and freedom becomes fragile. Ideologies that absolutize the state or the collective promise equality but often silence conscience and erase the dignity of the person made in God’s image (cf. Gen 1:26–27; CCC 1700). Saints who opposed totalitarian regimes, such as Maximilian Kolbe, recognised that the soul is the deepest battlefield. Our Adorable Jesus is saddened by the fact that souls are sometimes driven away by comfort, fear, and uncertainty rather than by physical force. This holds true for every aspect of life, including the professional who sacrifices morality in order to thrive, the student who accepts atheism without question, the priest who speaks gingerly in order to avoid offending anybody, and the family that ceases praying together. Scripture demonstrates that when authorities disregard God, the people disperse (cf. Ez 34:1–10). However, Christ's anguish suggests hope: return is achievable if betrayal is. The Divine Appeal urges personal conversion as the seed of social renewal. Every small “yes” to Christ—truth spoken, charity lived, prayer resumed—weakens the pull of perdition and reopens the path of life.

“They chase blindly after My children who want to follow Me.” In this cry, Our Adorable Jesus unveils a sorrowful mystery: goodness itself becomes suspect when hearts no longer recognize truth. The world's confusion regarding allegiance to Christ comes from the fact that it silently discloses the truth but not through an assault. The Lord Himself let the disciples know beforehand about such rejection and that whoever bears His light will be rejected by a world separated from God (cf. Jn 15:18–21).History shows how saints, mystics, and ordinary believers were often dismissed as threats simply for remaining faithful—Italy’s story bears many such wounds. Pope Saint John Paul II insisted that the Church’s task is not to mirror the age, but to heal it from within by holiness. This “blind chasing” reveals a deeper tragedy: spiritual sight is lost, much like Saul who persecuted what he did not yet understand (cf. Acts 9:1–5). Societies that turn away from God often put pressure on those who continue to remember Him, sometimes through subtle exclusion, sometimes through laws that stifle conscience, and sometimes by derision. However, the Church teaches that this kind of suffering is never in vain because it strengthens the believer's connection to the Cross and mysteriously feeds the Body of Christ (cf. CCC 618). Some see this way as silent faithfulness at work; others see it as enduring religious families; and for dedicated souls, it is unwavering love in solitude. Saints such as Catherine of Siena were so devoted to their country that they spoke the truth without animosity. Instead of asking His disciples to harden their hearts, Our Adorable Jesus asks them to stay rooted in love.

This Divine Appeal is ultimately an invitation to spiritual responsibility. God addresses nations because nations are made of persons. Scripture demonstrates that a remnant's faithfulness can keep a people alive (cf Gen 18:22–32; Is 10:20–22). According to the Catechism, Christians are called to sanctify earthly realities from within rather than to distance themselves from them (see CCC 898). Thus, the response to this appeal is deeply practical. For workers and professionals: act justly even when systems reward compromise. Priests and religious leaders should preach Christ in his whole and without compromise. Popes have repeatedly cautioned that being neutral in the face of error is a betrayal in and of itself. Jesus' voice is still gentle, though. In order for the wound to heal, he makes it visible. Italy is a metaphor for every society tempted to substitute power, efficiency, or processes for God. The appeal therefore transcends geography. Every baptized person must ask: where have I allowed a “seal” to mark my thinking more than the Gospel? Conversion begins with listening again to the Heart of Christ, especially in silence, Scripture, and the sacraments. From there, renewal flows outward.

Hope permeates this appeal, even in its severity. Our Adorable Jesus never reveals darkness without offering light.The betrayed Heart is the same one that was wounded and continues to give out mercy. Not only saints but also popes declare that true reform comes from the holy not the violent way of revolt. The Catechism indicates that Christ the Lord is history forever, leading it to the goal notwithstanding human unfaithfulness (cf. CCC 668). Thus, the future of any nation depends not primarily on systems, but on saints—known and hidden. Italy’s past proves this truth; its future can as well. This Divine Appeal invites each believer to intercede and inspect their conscience honestly. It suggests us to be like the brave Queen Esther, who put her life on the line to lobby for her people (cf. Est 4:14–16), and to get into the gap for our nation. Practically, this means establishing our thoughts through truth, giving up food and prayer for the transformation of hearts, doing daily reparation acts, and showing love like Christ even to those who oppose the faith or do not understand it. Our Adorable Jesus is looking for collaborators, not critics—people who will make His Heart glad by living the Gospel fully with their patience, humility, and generosity, and His grace will be seen in their ordinary words, choices, and deeds.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, wounded by our forgetfulness, awaken our hearts. Heal our nations by converting us. Give us courage to follow You without fear, humility to love amid opposition, and fidelity in small duties. Let our lives console Your Heart and draw many souls back to You. Amen.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.