Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ

[Pai_Nosso]

I’m currently making preparations to officially begin my devotion to the Sacred Heart.
I would like to hear from anyone who is familiar with this devotion.
I would also like to encourage people to consider taking up this worthy devotion.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, had a personal revelation involving a series of visions of Christ as she prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. She wrote, “He disclosed to me the marvels of his Love and the inexplicable secrets of his Sacred Heart.” Christ emphasized to her His love and His woundedness caused by Man’s indifference to this love.

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Letters of St Margaret Mary Alacoque
Life of St Margaret Mary Alacoque

He promised that, in response to those who consecrate themselves and make reparations to His Sacred Heart:
1.He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2.He will establish peace in their homes.
3.He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4.He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5.He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6.Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7.Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8.Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9.He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honored.
10.He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11.Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
12.In the excessive mercy of His Heart, His 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 His disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

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http://www.catholictradition.org/Two-Hearts/devotion12.htm
https://www.sistersofcarmel.com/devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus.php
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07163a.htm

The devotions attached to these promises are:
1.Receiving Communion frequently
2.First Fridays: going to Confession and receiving the Eucharist on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months.
3.Holy Hour: Eucharistic Adoration for one hour on Thursdays. (“Could you not watch one hour with me?”)
4.Celebrating of the Feast of the Sacred Heart

 

[Pai_Nosso]

Understanding the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and What it Means | Simply Catholic

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is brought to the forefront twice each liturgical year, first on the Feast of the Sacred Heart which is celebrated on the third Friday after Pentecost, and again on October 16, the memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, one of the foremost saints to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart.

The Heart itself. The heart is the symbolic center of feeling and emotion, and it represents Jesus’ deep love and affection for us. It is sometimes shown by itself, but often with an image of Jesus, and then above his chest. Most frequently it is depicted as red, the color of blood, which Jesus poured out for us (Jn 19:34). Red signifies fervent love, and Jesus loves us so much that he laid down his life for us (Jn 15:13). Occasionally the heart is purple, yellow, or white.

The Crown of Thorns. The heart typically is encircled horizontally with a crown of thorns. The thorns represent the stings caused by our sins. During Jesus’ passion, the execution squad wove a crown of thorns and placed it on his head (Mt 27:29; Mk 15:17; Jn 19:2,5), and it represents all that Jesus suffered on our account.

The Wound. Often there is a gash shown on the lower left or lower center of the heart which recalls when the soldier thrust his lance into Jesus’ side (Jn 19:34). The lance not only cut through Jesus’ rib cage, it also cut through his heart. This incident not only proved that Jesus was dead (Jn 19:33) and had given his life for us (Phil 2:8), it also fulfilled an ancient Messianic prophecy: “They shall look on him whom they have thrust through” (Zech 12:10; Jn 19:37).

Droplets of Blood. Some artists show a few droplets flowing from the wound, and in a few instances they are caught by a chalice below. This recalls the Last Supper when Jesus offered a cup of wine and said, “This is my blood of the covenant which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28). Jesus taught, “My blood is true drink” (Jn 6:55); and “Whoever drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56) and “has eternal life” (Jn 6:54). The droplets also represent the new Covenant of Blood (Ex 24:8).

The Flames. A number of flames are usually shown above the upper, center of the heart, and they represent the intensity of the warmth of Jesus’ love.

The Cross. It is customary to display a Latin cross in the midst of the flames, because it is on the cross where Jesus most decisively demonstrated the love of his Sacred Heart.

The Rays of Light. It is also common to have an array of glistening gold, white, or red beams of light radiating from Jesus’ heart. Jesus is light (8:12; 12:46), and the love of his heart enlightens the world (Jn 1:9).

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[Michael16]

That was a beautiful article you posted, @Pai_Nosso. Thank you.