June 6, 2025

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most beloved and widespread devotions in the Catholic Church, and it is deeply rooted in Scripture, the history of the Church, and the personal revelations of Christ to the saints. This devotion, which we will explore over four parts in this series, focuses on the heart of Jesus as a symbol of His boundless love, mercy, and compassion for humanity.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart can be traced back to the early Church, where the image of Christ’s heart was often depicted as a symbol of His love for mankind. However, it was in the 12th century that the theological focus on the heart of Christ began to grow. The devotion became particularly prominent in the 17th century, with the mystical visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun. In 1673, Christ revealed to St. Margaret Mary His Sacred Heart and expressed His sorrow over humanity’s ingratitude and neglect of His love.

In these visions, Jesus requested that people honor His Sacred Heart through acts of love, reparation, and devotion. He specifically asked for the establishment of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the practice of receiving Communion on the first Friday of each month, and the consecration of families to His Sacred Heart. Christ’s revelations to St. Margaret Mary emphasized the importance of making reparation for sin and responding to His love with deep devotion.

The Sacred Heart devotion was officially recognized by the Church in 1856, when Pope Pius IX established the Feast of the Sacred Heart as a solemnity for the universal Church. This devotion spread rapidly, with people throughout the Catholic world embracing it as a powerful means to encounter Christ’s love more deeply. Over time, the devotion expanded to include many other practices, such as the novena to the Sacred Heart, and a growing emphasis on offering one’s heart and life to Christ in reparation for the sins of the world.

As we reflect on the history of the Sacred Heart devotion, we see that it is not only about honoring an image or symbol, but it invites us to embrace a deeper relationship with Christ. His heart is an enduring sign of His great love for us, a love that was poured out on the Cross for our salvation.