Sacred Heart

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a popular devotion in the Catholic Church. It shows the heart of Jesus Christ as a symbol of God’s love for everyone. Some high church Anglicans and Western Rite Orthodox communities also follow this devotion.

In the Latin Church, there is a special day called the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is celebrated on the third Friday after Pentecost. Many people also know the 12 promises linked to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The modern form of this devotion started with a nun named Margaret Mary Alacoque from France. She said she learned about it during some special experiences between 1673 and 1675. Later, in the 19th century, another nun in Portugal, Mary of the Divine Heart, shared similar ideas about the Sacred Heart.

Thoughts about the Sacred Heart appeared even earlier, during the Middle Ages, in parts of Catholic mysticism, especially in the writings of Gertrude the Great.

Description

In Christian art, the Sacred Heart is shown as a glowing heart with flames. It is pierced by a spear and surrounded by a crown of thorns. There is also a cross above it. Sometimes it appears inside Jesus’ chest with his hands pointing to the heart. The symbols remind us of Jesus’ love for everyone.

History of the devotion

The devotion to the Sacred Heart started as a way to honor Jesus' love for people. In the early years of Christianity, people didn’t think much about Jesus’ heart. But later, around the 12th and 13th centuries, people began to show more love for Jesus’ suffering.

Over time, many people, including religious groups, began to honor Jesus’ heart. In the 16th century, the devotion grew, with special prayers and practices being written down.

A big moment came with Margaret Mary Alacoque, a nun who said she had special visions of Jesus. She shared ways to honor his heart, like spending time in prayer each week and receiving Holy Communion on certain Fridays. These ideas helped many people grow closer to Jesus’ love.

Another important figure was Mary of the Divine Heart, who also reported special messages about honoring Jesus’ heart. Her efforts led to a special promise from a pope to honor the Sacred Heart for the whole world. Because of these devotionals, many people found new ways to show their love and thanks to Jesus.

Papal approval

In 1353, Pope Innocent VI began a special Mass to honor the Sacred Heart.

Many popes supported this idea over time. In 1899, Pope Leo XIII asked everyone to promise to care for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He also encouraged special prayers and events to show love and respect for Jesus' heart.

Later popes, like Pius X, Pius XI, Benedict XV, Pius XII, Benedict XVI, and Francis, all helped keep this devotion important for many people.

Worship and devotion

Worship of the Sacred Heart includes prayers, hymns, and special services. It is common in the Roman Catholic Church.

Since around 1850, many groups and countries have made promises to honor the Sacred Heart. In 1875, a special church called the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was built in Paris. In 1874, Ecuador was the first country to make a promise to the Sacred Heart, and many others followed.

Feast day

Main article: Feast of the Sacred Heart

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a special day in the Catholic Church. It is celebrated on the third Friday after Pentecost. People often make promises and prayers during this time.

Month of the Sacred Heart

Main article: Month of the Sacred Heart

June is a month when many people focus on honoring the Sacred Heart. Special services and prayers are held during this month.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Main article: Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A special prayer to honor the Sacred Heart was written by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. In 1899, Pope Leo XIII wrote a promise for people to honor the Sacred Heart. In 1908, a prayer for families was also approved.

First Fridays Devotion

Main article: First Fridays Devotion

The First Fridays Devotion is a way to honor the Sacred Heart. It began from messages given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. People go to church and receive blessings on the first Friday of each month for nine months.

Holy Hour

Main article: Holy Hour

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque was asked by Jesus to spend an hour each Thursday night in prayer. This became known as the Holy Hour, where people pray or think about special moments in Jesus' life.

Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The enthronement of the Sacred Heart means placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a special spot in the home. Many families also place an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary nearby.

Scapular of the Sacred Heart

Main article: Scapular of the Sacred Heart

The Scapular of the Sacred Heart is a special item some Catholics wear. It shows the Sacred Heart of Jesus on one side and the Virgin Mary on the other.

Prayers

The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a common prayer in Catholic services. There is also a special morning prayer to the Sacred Heart.

Alliance with the Immaculate Heart

Main article: Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

The idea of the "Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary" means honoring both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary together. This idea was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Pope John Paul II talked about it in 1985. Devotions to both hearts grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, with a special medal showing both hearts. In 1956, Pope Pius XII encouraged people to honor both hearts.

Sacred Heart imagery

The Sacred Heart is often shown with a crown of thorns. You can see it on the back of the Miraculous Medal. In Québec, a special flag called the Carillon-Sacré-Coeur was used by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Many people put pictures of the Sacred Heart in their homes. In 1873, the bishops of Ireland dedicated their country to the Sacred Heart. After that, the Sacred Heart lamp became popular in Irish homes. Sometimes, the Sacred Heart is shown with the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In 1879, church leaders said these images are okay for personal devotion, but they should not be placed on the altar during church services.

Institutions and religious congregations

For a list of institutions named Sacred Heart, see Sacred Heart (disambiguation).

The name "Sacred Heart" is used for many Catholic schools, colleges, and hospitals around the world. It is also the name of many Catholic parishes and religious groups.

Peter Coudrin of France started the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in 1800. This group did missionary work in Hawaii. Clelia Merloni from Italy founded the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Viareggio, Italy, in 1894. There are many other religious groups named after the Sacred Heart.

Specific devotions

Many important people in the Catholic Church have shown love and respect for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Some of these people include Margaret Mary Alacoque, Charles de Foucauld, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Josefa Menéndez.

Josefa Menéndez wrote about how kind the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to everyone.

In Eastern Catholicism

Some Eastern Catholic Churches, like the Ukrainian Church, also honor the Sacred Heart. Others see this as a way to share Latin traditions. Many of these churches celebrate a similar feast called "Jesus, Lover of Mankind" on July 17.