The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - a devotion that invites us to ponder the depth of Christ's love for each of us. His Heart is not just a symbol, but a living reality: pierced, burning with love, and tender toward sinners.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun, in the late 1600s. Between 1673 and 1675, Jesus appeared to her in a series of visions, sharing the deep love of His Heart for all people and His sorrow at the indifference and ingratitude He receives in return.
In these revelations, Jesus showed her His Heart - burning with love, crowned with thorns, and pierced. He asked for a special devotion to His Sacred Heart to make reparation for sin and to draw souls into His merciful love. This included practices like receiving Communion on the First Fridays of nine consecutive months, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which He requested to be held on the Friday after Corpus Christi.
The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart
Jesus made twelve promises to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque for those who honor His Sacred Heart.
- I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
- I will establish peace in their families.
- I will comfort them in their trials.
- 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.
- Tepid 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 priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who 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.
Ways to Celebrate the Month of the Sacred Heart
- Practice the First Fridays Devotion. The First Friday devotion is a beautiful way to honor the Sacred Heart. It involves receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months with the intention of making reparation to His Heart. Here’s a printable First Fridays Devotion Tracker to help your family keep track and stay focused.
- Spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament asking Jesus to help you grow in this devotion to Him.
- Hang an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on your wall and pray over His promises. There are some beautiful images on Etsy.
- Pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a family.
- Make a heart craft or colouring page with your children to represent Jesus' love. I love these colouring sheets.
- Light a candle each evening during family prayer and ask Jesus to inflame your hearts with His love.
- Create Sacred Space with Music. While I haven’t made a playlist yet, I love the idea of prayerfully curating one for the Sacred Heart - gentle, reverent music that lifts the soul and invites you to rest in His love. If you have any favorite songs or hymns, let me know!
- Celebrate the feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Books to Explore the Sacred Heart
Although I haven't read any books on the Sacred Heart of Jesus yet, I found a few that I would like to add to our home library:
- The Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Devotion for Children by Patrick O’Hearn - I'm really looking forward to this one. I loved his picture books on Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Champion.
- Sacred Heart Gems: Daily Wisdom on the Devotion to the Sacred Heart - A collection of short reflections that would make a lovely start to morning prayer time.
- The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: How to Practice the Sacred Heart Devotion - A classic and practical guide to understanding and living the devotion.
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer Book - A prayer book to help guide you in personal devotion and reflection throughout the year.
Pray the Chaplet of the Sacred Heart
This chaplet is associated with Fr. John Croiset, S.J., the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. In the seventeenth century, St. Margaret Mary, a French Visitation nun, was honoured with a series of apparitions in which Our Lord revealed His Divine Heart, “inflamed with love” for her and for all people. From these revelations grew the widespread devotion to the Sacred Heart that is beloved throughout the Church today, although devotion to the Heart of Jesus itself stretches back through every century of Christianity. The chaplet is available in the Marian Graces shop here.
If you’d like gentle encouragement throughout the liturgical year, you’re invited to join my Marian Graces newsletter. Each week I share reflections, devotional ideas, and resources to help you bring your faith into daily family life.
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