WASHINGTON (CNS) — Walls, Miss., population 1,170, isn’t known for its rush hours.
Nonetheless, it’s the home of the Sacred Heart Auto League, an apostolate of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
The auto league celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Founded in 1955 to promote what it calls "prayerful and careful driving," the auto league now boasts 1 million members, an all-time high.
The Priests of the Sacred Heart established their mission activities in Mississippi in 1942, and founded the auto league 13 years later, said Dominican Sister Ruthann Williams, league spokeswoman.
The religious order "has a special devotion to the Sacred Heart," she added, hence the name of the league.
Fifty years ago, the interstate highway system was barely a glimmer in President Dwight Eisenhower’s eye.
Today, there are more traffic jams than there are swear words to curse them.
That’s the point of the Sacred Heart Auto League.
According to Sister Williams, members find comfort knowing "I can pray behind the wheel" rather than stew about clogged traffic.
Just as driving has changed, cars have changed.
Air bags were nonexistent and seat belts in cars were virtually unheard of 50 years ago.
And dashboards were made of metal, which allowed auto league members to place a magnetized Sacred Heart statue or sticker on the dashboard as a reminder there’s a higher purpose to their driving.
Now, with dashboards made of plastic, Sacred Heart emblems for members have adhesives — Sister Williams calls it "that sticky stuff" — for attaching to the dashboard.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that membership in the auto league is free, although donations are always welcome.
Another is the gratitude of members for the Sacred Heart protecting them on the road. [Source]
Here is some other information on SHAL.
The Sacred Heart Auto League has been raising funds to support the Sacred Heart Southern Missions’ faith-based services for almost 50 years. The Missions staff works to build and run schools and churches in rural Mississippi. It supports eight parishes, many of them with small congregations, three mission churches, two elementary schools and a pre-school. Additionally the Missions staff assists the poor and needy with food, clothing, housing, transportation (especially of the elderly), medical assistance and advocacy with social agencies that provide assistance. It’s dedication to support the poor and provide the necessary services and programs have allowed thousands of people to find comfort in its tireless efforts.
“Reparation driving is the effort of generous souls who … seek to give to the Sacred Heart more love and honor, thereby making up in some small way for the inconsideration and recklessness of careless drivers,”
25 comments
please mail sacred heart jesus auto league daily prayer devition booklet to: 1256 e. 13th street, brooklyn, n.y. 11230-4800. h-1-718-258-2385//cellular telephone number is: 1-917-548-3092.
How can I receive a new Sacred Heart emblem for my car? I just purchased a new car and the emblem that I took off will no longer stick.
Thanks, Sharon
I am looking for information on Sacred Heart auto League. Please e-mail on how to contact to join.
Our parish,Sacred Heart,is preparing a Generations of Faith session to celebrate our 70th anniversary.We want to give every participating family a “Home Kit” to take with them as a rememberance.We are looking for any small items(ex.prayer cards,medals,etc.)and I remembered one time my mother,before she passed,receiving some rememberence from you,a magnetic emblem of the Sacred Heart,to place in her car.I’m wondering if you have any suggestions or could help us in any way.This is a very exciting time for us and we want to honor “Him” in every way possible.Thanking you in advance; Sincerely,Helen Cormier;Hopedale,Massachusetts
I would like to get a new Sacred Heart emblem for my car and another for my wallet please. Thank you.
I would like to become a member of Sacred Heart Auto League and would like to receive an emblem, one for me and one for my son who turned 16 and just started driving. Thanks!
I was a memeber of the Sacred Heart Auto League at my old address, but since I moved, I haven’t recieved anything about the League. If I need to rejoin, I’ll be more then happy to. Please send me information. I still recite and know, by ‘heart’ the auto prayer, and I state it everytime I get behind a wheel.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant me
a steady hand and watchful eye,
that none be hurt as I pass by.
You gave me life. I pray no act of mine take away or mar that gift divine.
Protect those, Lord, who travel with me
from highway dangers to all anxiety.
Teach me to use my car for others’ needs
and never miss the beauty of Your
world through excessive speed.
I pledge to drive with loving concern
to my every destination
offering each travel hour to You
in the spirit of reparation.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
my auto companion,
have mercy on me.
One more thing. I recall the website being something like…
http://www.sacredheartleague.org
though I don’t see much about it on google searches.
Take care,
M@
Need to become member of the Sacred Heart Auto League and need to be placed on your mailing list.
My new address is 8023 Winter Park, San Antonio, TX 78250.
Thanks and GOD BLESS
JS
To contact the Sacred Heart Auto League, simply call
800-232-9079 or visit http://www.sacredheartleague.org
or write to
Sacred Heart League
Walls, Mississippi 38686
Please send me several of the Sacred Heart Emblems to be installed in our autos. Thanks. I will send a donation.
Rosie
Please advise where I can donate/purchase some Sacred Heart Auto League emblems for our cars. My mother was a strong advocate of this medal and we all received one for our cars. My mother has since passed away and I wanted to carry on her tradition.
Thank you…
I accidentally disposed of my Sacred Heart Auto League renewal forms from the mail. I would like to enroll Charlene Yanchak, Mr. Gaspar Barone, and Mr. Mark Yanchak. Please send me 3 more Auto League Cards and I will send a donation. Thanks, Miss Charlene Yanchak
7411 Arden Ave.,
Parma, Ohio 44l29
Please take me off the mailing list. I am elderly and cannot give at this time.
thank you.
Tom Flower
HELLO , COULD YOU PLEASE SEND ME ONE OF YOUR ACT OF CONSECRATION PICTURES OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS.I WOULD REALLY BE APPRECIATIVE.
THANK YOU
THERESA
I would like to become a member of the Sacred Heart Auto League…please let me know how…also on how to receive an emblem for my car and my wallet as well…I would love to get two more too if possible for my loved ones in the Philippines..Thanks a lot…
I’m am eighteen years old and would like to follow in the footsteps of others in my family by joining the SHAL, especially now that I will be making frequent 2 and a half hours journeys to LSU this year from my home in Ocean Springs, MS. Any information would be helpful.
This is a test
Please note: If you are interested in joining the Sacred Heart Auto League, the correct website address is http://www.shl.org
Questions or requests concerning the Sacred Heart Auto League, the Sacred Heart League or Sacred Heart Southern Missions should be directed towards that website – http://www.shl.org
Please pray for the recovery from surgery of joseph D. Balan. Thank you
Hello I am contacting you in regards to all information with The Sacred Heart Auto League, and any other means of contact that you have been
sending to my home, I thank you for all the great
prayer cards, the auto league etc. but I have come to a point in my life both finacially & physical that I’ve had to contact numerous Religious Organization with this same information.
I will now give you all my information so it may be deleted from any mailing lists, and I would really appreciate it if you contacted me by e-mail to confirm that you recieved my message to you and that the removal is underway.
Thank You & God Bless!!!
Estelle Gagne
15 East Meadow Rd.
(GRAY CONDEX)
Lowell, MA 01854
MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS AS FOLLOWS BELOW.
STELLIEG9336@AOL.COM
Dear Father Yost: I am going to send my small contribution to the “Katrina Disaster” to you. Hopefully, your folks will be involved in the aid and relief of some of the victims in your area. Let us pray that the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who Knows all, will comfort those in need. God Bless all. Gloria
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I am originally from Northeast, Mississippi.
I have family in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
One of your email guest sent an email on july 25th 2005. from Ocean Springs,Ms. by the name
Daniel Lorrain. Daniel’s off to “LSU” in the FALL? HOPE, HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE OK? Ocean Springs, Ms. received major damage and some area’s totally
wiped out from Katrina. St Andrews Country Club
and Homes completely destoyed.
I found your web site today Sept. 24th 2005.
I hope and pray the kid from Ocean Springs, Ms
and his family are ok?
Please, give a prayer for the state of Mississippi
God, Bless!
Sincerely, Regina Mcgrath
Please contact me as to how to join the Sacred Heart Auto League.
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