The Sacred Heart devotion reminds us that God is not distant or abstract—He loves us with a real human heart in the person of Jesus Christ. This heart burns with compassion for us, suffers with us, is wounded by our rejection. How He desires to draw us into this love, so our own hearts would be consumed and transformed!

In the 17th century, Jesus revealed this love in a particular way to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun. In her visions, He showed her His heart crowned with thorns and burning with love, and asked her to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart. In one vision, Jesus asked for her heart. She willingly gave it to Him but it looked so small and frail. He placed her heart within His own and it was consumed as within a furnace. He then placed a new heart, burning like a flame, within her breast.

SYMBOLISM
Flames: His burning love for all humanity.
Cross: The ultimate sign of His suffering and sacrifice.
Crown of Thorns: The pain caused by sin and indifference.
Wound: His pierced side and blood shed for our redemption.
Heart: The symbol of love and divine invitation.

DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
I’ve also made a free printable devotional guide—a simple way to understand the symbolism of the Sacred Heart and pray the consecration at home with your family.