What is the Sacred Heart?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carol on March 16, 2010 at 2:34pm

The Sacred Heart refers to Jesus' heart. As God and Man, the Son of God loved us with a human heart. So we show reverence and devotion to His Heart. There is a great book on this devotion by a guy named O'Donnell (not sure of spelling but I think Ignatius Press printed it). The artwork depicting Jesus' Sacred Heart often shows a crown of thorns reminding us of His love unto death on the cross.
The heart that you see in pictures of the Blessed Mother is called "The Immaculate Heart of Mary". The sword that is shown refers to the scripture verse of Simeon at the Presentation when he said that a sword would pierce her heart.
Usually, in prayer, we say "Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us" and then "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us."
Hope that helps. :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jennifer R. on March 16, 2010 at 4:26pm

Thanks Carol! You answered my questions. :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DHunt on March 17, 2010 at 1:57pm

Also Jennifer you may want to read about Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Patricia on March 18, 2010 at 9:44am

Jennifer,
You might also like to read "The Way of Divine Love" by Blessed Sister Josefa Mendez. It is common to have an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & the Immaculate Heart of Mary placed in a prominent area of your home (for example, if you have a family altar area, an icon wall, or a place where your family gathers to pray) & to have a priest come & enthrone your home & family to the Sacred & Immaculate Hearts with a special prayer & blessing.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DHunt on March 18, 2010 at 12:23pm

Patricia,

I am in the middle reading this book--It is so beautiful.I love it!!Great suggestion.

Also Jennifer,
a little more...Jesus asked Saint Margaret Mary for 'Nine First Fridays Devotion (those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, for ...reparation for those who offend His infinite love by either hatred,neglect or indifference).And Our Lady asked the children at Fatima for the devotion of 'Five First Saturdays' of consecutive months.This devotion was to be made for reparation for those who offend, the Immaculate Heart of Mary through blasphemies and ingratitude, and would include confession,Holy Communion,recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep Our Lady company while meditating on the 15 mysteries of the Rosary ,with the intention of making reparation to Her.
P.S.
There are so many things I do not know either!!But I fall deeper in love with our faith all the time, especially through reading the lives of our saints--What a treasure Jesus has given us in them! Also,with Divine Mercy Sunday coming up (the Sunday after Easter)You may want to read about Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska .Pope JPII called her "the great apostle of Divine Mercy in our time." Her message is to trust in Jesus' endless mercy, and to live life mercifully toward others.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jennifer R. on March 18, 2010 at 11:30am

Thank you again D and Patricia! I have a tiny antique wall baptismal font hanging by my home's front door with holy water that is Jesus with the Sacred Heart. It is something I cherish. As a convert there are still so many things I don't know about our Faith. I have come to the right place! :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Patricia on March 18, 2010 at 11:54am

Jennifer,
Even as a cradle Catholic, I am still learning about our beautiful Catholic Faith! (in fact, I'd say I have learned more about the Faith over the past 10 years of homeschooling our children than I did in the years leading up to that) It is a process of life-long, continual conversion. Don't be afraid to ask questions....most of us aren't experts, but I think we are all happy to share our love for the Apostolic Faith! God bless --

• ▶ Reply