Devotion to the Sacred Heart: the message, the promises, the prayer

In 1672 a French girl, now known as Santa Margherita Maria Alacoque, was visited by Our Lord in a way so special and profound that it would transform the world. This visit was the spark for the devotion of the Most Holy Heart of Jesus. It was during the many visits that Christ explained the devotion to the Sacred Heart and how he wanted people to practice it. To better realize the infinite love of the Son of God, as manifested in the incarnation, in His Passion and in the adorable Sacrament of the altar, we needed a visible representation of this love. He therefore attached many graces and blessings to the veneration of His adorable Sacred Heart.

"Here is this heart that loved men so much!"

A burning heart for the love of all humanity was the imagination required by Our Lord. The flames that explode and envelop him show the vehement love with which he loved and loves us continuously. The crown of thorns surrounding the Heart of Jesus symbolizes the wound inflicted on him by the ingratitude with which men ask for His love. The Heart of Jesus surmounted by a cross is a further testimony of our Lord's love for us. It reminds us in particular of his bitter passion and death. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus originated when that Divine Heart was pierced by the spear, the wound remained forever on His Heart. Last but not least, the rays surrounding this precious Heart mean the great graces and blessings that emanate from devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"I do not place limits or measures on my gifts of grace for those who seek them in my heart!"

Our blessed Lord has commanded that all those who wish to take devotion to the Most Holy Heart of Jesus go to Confession and often receive Holy Communion, especially on the first Friday of each month. Friday is significant because it reminds us of Good Friday when Christ took on the passion and gave his life for many. If he was unable to make it on Friday, he called us to arrange to receive the Holy Eucharist on Sunday, or on any other day, with the intention of repairing and making atonement and of rejoicing in the Heart of our Savior. He also asked us to maintain devotion by venerating an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and making prayers and sacrifices offered for love of Him and for the conversion of sinners. Our blessed Lord then gave to San

So what are the twelve promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and how do we get them? It is first of all important to note that the twelve promises that we find in the prayer books, in the manuals and in the following list, of devotion to the Sacred Heart, do not contain all the promises made by our Divine Lord to Santa Margherita Maria Alacoque. They are not even a summary of them, but rather a selection of those promises better calculated to arouse sentiments of love for Our Lord in the hearts of the faithful and to induce them to practice devotion.

Jesus made twelve promises to those who hold true devotion

His sacred heart:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.

2. I will bring peace to their families and unite families that are divided.

3. I will console them in all their problems.

4. I will be their refuge during life and especially in death.

5. I will grant the blessings of heaven to all their endeavors.

6. Sinners will find in my Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Lukewarm souls must become fervent.

8. Fervent souls will rise rapidly to great perfection.

9. I will bless those places where the image of My Heart will be exposed and honored and imprint My love in the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy all disordered movements in them.

10. I will give the priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who promote this devotion must have their names written in my Heart, to never be canceled.

12. THE BIGGEST PROMISE - I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my almighty love will grant to all those who communicate (Receive Holy Communion) the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of the final penance: they will not die in my shame, nor without receiving their sacraments. My Divine Heart will be their safe haven in the latter moment.

It is important to note to obtain the GREAT PROMISE that the Nine Fridays must be made in honor of the Sacred Heart of Christ, that is, by practicing devotion and having great love for His Sacred Heart. They must be on the first Friday of the month for nine consecutive months and Holy Communion must be received. If one were to start on the first Friday and not keep the others, then he would have to start over. Many great sacrifices must be made to achieve this final promise, but the grace when receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday is indescribable!

It was not by chance that you got this far. Our hope is that you kindle a devotion to the most sacred heart of Jesus and show your love for Christ. We have provided a resource of Sacred Heart gifts with The Sacred Heart of Jesus and examine the prayers that we have provided below.

For a better understanding of the solemnity of Corpus Christi, Eucharistic adoration and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click here!

Novena to the Sacred Heart

Divine Jesus, you said: “Ask and you will receive; search and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. " Look at me kneeling at your feet, full of a lively faith and trust in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart to Santa Margherita Maria. I come to ask for this favor: mention your request).

Who can I turn to if not to you, whose heart is the source of all graces and merits? Where should I look if not in the treasure that contains all the riches of your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the door through which God gives himself to us and through which we go to God? I appeal to you, Heart of Jesus. In you I find consolation when I am afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened by trials and light in doubt and darkness.

Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that you can grant me the grace that I implore, even if it should require a miracle. You just have to want it and my prayer will be answered. I admit I'm not worthy of your favors, but that's not a reason why I get discouraged. You are the God of mercy and you will not refuse a contrite heart. Cast a gaze of mercy upon me, please, and your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weaknesses a reason to answer my prayer.

Sacred Heart, whatever your decision regarding my request, I will never stop adoring you, loving you, praising you and serving you. My Jesus, be happy to accept my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of your adorable Heart, which I sincerely wish to be fulfilled in and by me and by all your creatures forever.

Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore you through the Immaculate Heart of Your most painful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her daughter, and her prayers are omnipotent with you. Amen.

Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

My God, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He begs and offers himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for your favors, in reparation for my sins, and in humble plea for my temporal and eternal well-being, for the needs of our holy Mother Church, for the conversion of sinners and for the relief of poor souls in purgatory.