In 1672 a young girl from France, now known as Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, was visited by Our Lord in such a special and profound way that would transform the world. This visitation was the spark for the devotion of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was during the many visitations that Christ explained the devotion to the Sacred Heart and how He wanted people to practice it. In order to better realize the infinite love of the Son of God, as manifested in the incarnation, in His Passion and in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar, we needed a visible representation of this love. He then attached many graces and blessings to the veneration of His adorable Sacred Heart.

"Behold this Heart that has loved men so much!"

A heart on fire for love of all mankind was the imagery demanded by Our Lord. The flames bursting forth and enveloping It show the vehement love wherewith It has loved and continually loves us. The crown of thorn encircling the Heart of Jesus typifies the injury inflicted upon It by the ingratitude wherewith men requite His love. The Heart of Jesus surmounted by a cross is further testimony of Our Lord's Love for us. It reminds us particularly of His bitter Passion and Death. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus originated the moment when that Divine Heart was pierced by the lance, the wound remaining forever more upon His Heart. Last but not least, the rays surrounding this precious Heart signify the great graces and blessings which emanate from devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"I set neither limit nor measure to My gifts of grace for those who seek them in My Heart!"

Our blessed Lord commanded that all who wish to take up the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus go to Confession and receive Holy Communion often, especially on the First Friday of each Month. Friday is significant because it recalls Good Friday when Christ took on the passion and laid down His life for the many. If unable to make it on Friday, He called us to make a point of receiving the Holy Eucharist on Sunday, or any other day, with the intention of making reparation and render atonement and to rejoice in the Heart of our Savior. He also asked that we keep the devotion by venerating an image of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and makin prayers and sacrifices offered out of love for Him and for the conversion of sinners. Our blessed Lord then gave to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque promises for those who take up this sacred and special devotion.

So, what are the twelve promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and how do we obtain them? It is first important to note that the twelve promises which we find in prayer books, manuals and the list below, of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, do not contain all the promises made by our Divine Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. They are not even a summary of them, but are rather a selection of those promises best calculated to arouse sentiments of love for Our Lord in the hearts of the faithful and to induce them to practice the devotion.

Jesus Made Twelve Promises to Those Who Hold a True Devotion to

His Sacred Heart:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.

2. I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.

5. I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises.

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

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection.

9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy in them all disordered movements.

10. I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.

12. THE GREATEST PROMISE - I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate(Receive Holy Communion) on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence: they will not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

It is important to note in order to obtain the GREAT PROMISE that the Nine Fridays must be made in honor of Christ's Sacred Heart, meaning, practicing devotion and having great love of His Sacred Heart. They must be on the first Friday of the month for nine consecutive months, and Holy Communion must be received. If one were to start on a First Friday and not keep the others then one would have to start over. Many great sacrifices must be made in order to obtain this final promise but the grace when receiving Holy Communion on First Friday's in indescribable!

It was not by accident that you made it this far. It is our hope that you enkindle a devotion to The Most Sacred heart of Jesus and show your love for Christ. We have provided a resource of Sacred Heart Gifts gifts with The Sacred Heart of Jesus and peruse the prayers we have provided below.

For a better understanding of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Eucharistic Adoration, and the most Sacred Heart of Jesus click here!

Novena to the Sacred Heart

Divine Jesus, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you." Behold me kneeling at Your feet, filled with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by Your Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. I come to ask this favor: Mention your request).

To whom can I turn if not to You, Whose Heart is the source of all graces and merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all the riches of Your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the door through which God gives Himself to us and through which we go to God? I have recourse to You, Heart of Jesus. In You I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened with trials, and light in doubt and darkness.

Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that You can grant me the grace I implore, even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of Your favors, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercy, and You will not refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of You, and Your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a reason for granting my prayer.

Sacred Heart, whatever may be Your decision with regard to my request, I will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving You. My Jesus, be pleased to accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of Your adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all Your creatures forever.

Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore You through the Immaculate Heart of Your most sorrowful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her child, and her prayers are all-powerful with You. Amen.

Offering to The Sacred Heart of Jesus

My God, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Your favors, in reparation for my sins, and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the needs of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory.