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Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most widely practiced and well-known Catholic devotions, focusing on Jesus Christ's physical heart as the representation of His divine love for humanity. This devotion emphasizes God's boundless and passionate love, as well as His compassion and longing for each person.
Through this special devotion, we are invited to respond to the love pouring forth from Jesus's heart with our own love and devotion, offering reparation for the indifference and ingratitude He receives from so many hearts.
History of the Devotion
While devotion to the love of God dates back to the early Church, the specific devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus took its present form through the revelations given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), a French Visitation nun.
Between 1673 and 1675, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary several times, revealing His Sacred Heart. During these apparitions, Jesus expressed His love for humanity and His sorrow at the indifference shown to Him. He asked for special devotion to His Sacred Heart, particularly through Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, and an hour of prayer on Thursdays (the Holy Hour).
Initially, St. Margaret Mary faced skepticism, but was eventually supported by her confessor, St. Claude de la Colombière. The devotion spread rapidly throughout France and the world, and was officially recognized by Pope Pius IX in 1856, when he established the Feast of the Sacred Heart for the universal Church.
The Daily Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Oh Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and suffering of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sins, the reunion of all Christians; I offer them for the intentions of our Bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.
This beautiful prayer is traditionally recited each morning as a way to dedicate the entire day to the intentions of Jesus's Sacred Heart. By offering our daily activities, we participate in Christ's redemptive mission and unite ourselves with His loving sacrifice.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
I give myself and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, my person and my life, my actions, pains and sufferings, so that I may be unwilling to make use of any part of my being other than to honor, love and glorify the Sacred Heart. This is my unchanging purpose, namely, to be all His, and to do all things for the love of Him, at the same time renouncing with all my heart whatever is displeasing to Him. I therefore take You, O Sacred heart, to be the only object of my love, the guardian of my life, my assurance of salvation, the remedy of my weakness and inconstancy, the atonement for all the faults of my life and my sure refuge at the hour of death.
Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God the Father, and turn away from me the strokes of His righteous anger. O Heart of love, I put all my confidence in You, for I fear everything from my own wickedness and frailty, but I hope for all things from Your goodness and bounty. Remove from me all that can displease You or resist Your holy will; let your pure love imprint Your image so deeply upon my heart, that I shall never be able to forget You or to be separated from You.
May I obtain from all Your loving kindness the grace of having my name written in Your Heart, for in You I desire to place all my happiness and glory, living and dying in bondage to You. Amen.
— Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart
In her visions, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque received from Jesus twelve promises for those who practice devotion to His Sacred Heart. These promises highlight the spiritual benefits and graces that flow from this devotion:
- I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their houses.
- I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
- I will be their secure refuge during life and, above all, in death.
- I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall grow fervent.
- Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- I will bless every place where a picture of My Sacred Heart shall be set up 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, never to be blotted out.
- I promise You in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in my displeasure nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
The First Friday Devotion
One of the primary practices associated with devotion to the Sacred Heart is the First Friday Devotion. This consists of receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months, with the intention of making reparation to the Heart of Jesus.
This practice is connected to the twelfth promise given to St. Margaret Mary, in which Jesus promises the grace of final perseverance to those who complete this devotion. The nine First Fridays represent the nine months Jesus spent in Mary's womb, as well as being a novena (nine days or periods of prayer).
The typical elements of First Friday observance include:
- Attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion in a state of grace
- Having the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart and offering reparation for sin
- Going to Confession (although this can be done within about a week before or after the First Friday)
- Praying for the intentions of the Holy Father
Symbols and Imagery
Traditional images of the Sacred Heart show Jesus's heart exposed on His chest, surrounded by:
- Flames: Symbolizing the intensity of Christ's love for humanity
- Crown of Thorns: Representing the suffering Jesus endured for our sins
- Cross: Standing atop the heart, recalling Jesus's sacrifice on Calvary
- Wound: From the lance that pierced His side, from which flowed blood and water
These symbols remind us that Christ's love is not merely sentimental but sacrificial—a love that endured suffering and death for our salvation.
Ways to Practice Devotion to the Sacred Heart
There are many ways to cultivate devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your spiritual life:
- Enthroning the Sacred Heart: Formally installing an image of the Sacred Heart in your home and consecrating your family to Him
- First Friday Devotion: Attending Mass and receiving Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays
- Holy Hour: Spending an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, especially on Thursday evenings
- Morning Offering: Beginning each day by offering your prayers, works, joys, and sufferings to the Sacred Heart
- Wearing the Sacred Heart Badge: A small emblem as a constant reminder of this devotion
- Litany of the Sacred Heart: Praying this beautiful litany approved by the Church
- Acts of Reparation: Offering prayers and sacrifices to console Jesus for the indifference and ingratitude He receives
Feast of the Sacred Heart
The Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost, on a Friday. This timing emphasizes the connection between the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost and the love of Christ poured into our hearts through the Spirit.
This movable feast typically falls in June, which is why June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The entire month provides an opportunity for extended reflection and devotion to Christ's loving heart.
The Feast is a Solemnity in the Church calendar, the highest rank of liturgical celebration, highlighting its importance in Catholic spirituality and worship.
Connection to Divine Mercy
The devotion to the Sacred Heart is closely related to the more recent devotion to the Divine Mercy, promoted through the visions of St. Faustina Kowalska in the 20th century. Both devotions emphasize God's boundless love and mercy toward sinners.
While the Sacred Heart devotion focuses particularly on making reparation for sins and ingratitude, the Divine Mercy devotion emphasizes trust in God's merciful love. Both devotions complement each other, revealing different aspects of the same divine love.
Many spiritual writers note that the image of blood and water flowing from Christ's pierced side—central to Divine Mercy iconography—directly connects to the wounded Sacred Heart pierced by the lance.
Scriptural Foundation
While the particular devotion to the Sacred Heart developed over time, its spiritual foundations are deeply rooted in Scripture:
- "Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." (Matthew 11:29) - Jesus explicitly refers to His heart as the source of meekness and humility.
- "One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out." (John 19:34) - The physical piercing of Christ's heart on the cross.
- "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:5) - The theological concept of God's heart pouring love into our hearts.
- "I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord." (Jeremiah 24:7) - The prophetic promise of a heart-to-heart relationship between God and His people.
Embrace the Love of the Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart of Jesus offers endless treasures of love, mercy, and grace to those who approach with faith and devotion. Begin or deepen your relationship with Christ's loving heart today.