The twelve promises of Jesus for those who practice this devotion

The great flowering of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus occurred from the private revelations of the visitand Santa Margherita Maria Alacoque who together with San Claude de la Colombière propagated its cult.

From the beginning, Jesus made Santa Margherita understand Maria Alacoque that he would spread the effusions of his grace on all those who would be interested in this amiable devotion; among them he also made a promise to reunite divided families and to protect those in difficulty by bringing peace to them.

Saint Margaret wrote to Mother de Saumaise, on August 24, 1685: «He (Jesus) made her known, again, the great complacency that she takes in being honored by her creatures and it seems to her that He promised her that all those who they would be consecrated to this sacred Heart, they would not perish and that, since he is the source of all blessings, so he would scatter them abundantly in all the places where the image of this lovable Heart was exposed, to be loved and honored there. Thus he would reunite divided families, protect those who found themselves in some need, spread the anointing of his ardent charity in those communities where his divine image was honored; and it would take away the blows of the just anger of God, returning them in his grace, when they had fallen from it ».

Here is also a fragment of a letter from the saint to a Jesuit Father, perhaps to Fr. Croiset: «Because I cannot tell you all I know about this amiable devotion and discover to the whole earth the treasures of graces that Jesus Christ contains in this An adorable heart that intends to spread on all those who will practice it? ... The treasures of thanks and blessings that this sacred Heart contains are infinite. I do not know that there is no other exercise of devotion, in the spiritual life, that is more effective, to raise, in a short time, a soul to the highest perfection and to make it taste the true sweetnesses, which are found in the service of Jesus Christ. "" As for secular people, they will find in this amiable devotion all the relief necessary for their state, that is, peace in their families, relief in their work, the blessings of heaven in all their endeavors, consolation in their miseries; it is precisely in this sacred Heart that they will find a place of refuge during their whole life, and mainly at the hour of death. Ah! how sweet it is to die after having had a tender and constant devotion to the sacred Heart of Jesus Christ! »« My divine Master has made me known that those who work for the health of souls will work successfully and will know the art of moving the most hardened hearts, provided they have a tender devotion to her sacred Heart, and are committed to inspiring and establishing it everywhere. "" Finally, it is very visible that there is no one in the world who does not receive all sorts of help from heaven if he has a truly grateful love for Jesus Christ, as one is shown to him, with devotion to his sacred Heart ».

This is the collection of the promises made by Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary, in favor of the devotees of the Sacred Heart:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state.

2. I will bring peace to their families.

3. I will console them in all their afflictions.

4. I will be their safe haven in life and especially in death.

5. I will spread the most abundant blessings over all their endeavors.

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

7. Lukewarm souls will become fervent.

8. Fervent souls will quickly rise to a great perfection.

9. I will bless the houses where the image of my sacred Heart will be exposed and honored.

10. I will give priests the gift of moving the most hardened hearts.

11. The people who propagate this devotion will have their name written in my Heart and it will never be canceled.

12. I promise in the excess of the mercy of my Heart that my almighty love will grant to all those who communicate on the first Friday of the month for nine consecutive months the grace of the final penance. They will not die in my misfortune, nor without receiving the sacraments, and my Heart will be their safe haven in that extreme hour.