Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

The Beating Heart of Christ’s Love

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One day many years ago (in 1988), soon after I began to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Mass, it occurred to me that the Lord was hoping that I would stay for a while after Mass to pray in front of his holy presence in the Tabernacle. I said, “Okay”.

At first I felt embarrassed that others would notice me kneeling there. But then the presence of Jesus became strong, not only in the Sacred Host that was hidden behind the closed Tabernacle door, but in Spirit in front of the Tabernacle.

Mind you, I am no visionary, but what I experienced can best be described as a keen awareness that Jesus wanted to show me his Sacred Heart. I “saw” him open the robe that covered his chest (it reminded me of Superman peeling off his shirt). I expected to see an image of the Sacred Heart similar to what artists have painted for holy cards.

That’s not what I saw. It was a live, beating, pumping, thumping heart. A human heart “on fire” with the glow of pure light — a “fire” of tremendous love, an often-suffering but powerful love.

How sacred his love truly is for you and for me and for everyone! It’s without flaw or sin. It’s complete and all-consuming. It suffers for us when we sin. It suffers with us when we are hurt by the sins of others. And it’s as real as your own beating heart.

Jesus did not lose his human body when he ascended to heaven. The heart in his glorified body did not stop existing. The reason why the Church gives us Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a special feast day. And it’s the reason why Jesus shows his heart to us — is because it symbolizes his love, pierced for us on the cross but forever alive, real, and unconditionally caring.

Problems and unanswered prayers cause us to doubt the liveliness of Christ’s love. The inability to feel his love pumping through us seems to prove that it’s not always here. Our unworthiness seems to prove that he should not make it available to us.

However, these doubts dissolve away when we give to others the love that we seek from the Lord, for it’s in giving that we receive, it’s in doing that we understand, and it’s in taking actionthat we become aware of what is real. By giving his sacred love to the people around us, our hearts beat in unison with his Sacred Heart. Then we understand what we hear in today’s first reading: “The Lord has set his heart on you and chose you!”

You were chosen by God to be loved and to love others on his behalf. Remember this: The same doubt that you’ve felt is also what others are experiencing. Who in your life needs proof that God loves them? Who’s in a bad mood? Who needs a kind, calming, caring word of encouragement and hope? Because you have within you the Sacred Heart of Jesus, you are the proof they need that God’s love is real. Give it to them and you will find the proof that cures your own doubts!

Want to go deeper into this? See my book My Soul Shall Be Healed at https://gnm.org/mysoul.

A Chat with Emily Jaminet: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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The Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most powerful devotions offered to us by the Catholic Church. The entire month of June in dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and there is a solemnity in June (June 12 in 2026) set aside to celebrate this devotion.

Pope Saint John Paul II was a huge champion for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Pope Francis wrote an encyclical (October 2024) on it. We can also participate in the 9 First Fridays Devotion to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus and constantly renew our love for Him.

I recently had the pleasure and honor to speak with Catholic author, wife, grandmother, and mother, Emily Jaminet. She is also the National Executive Director of welcomehisheart.com, and my go-to source for everything related to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! We chatted about the history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, enthroning your home and heart to the Sacred Heart, her new Sacred Heart children’s book, and, most importantly, the burning, deep, healing, and incredible love of Jesus for each and every one of us.

In honor of June’s dedication to Sacred Heart and the Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alocoque on October 15th, I am sharing everything I learned from Emily about the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with you all today!

Access to God’s Love in Sacred Scripture

Before we launched into our conversation about the Sacred Heart, Emily emphasized that Bishop Earl K. Fernandes has said that, first and foremost, God’s love for us can be found right in Sacred Scripture. Bishop Fernandes has explained that God’s love is right there for us to experience in the Gospels and Old Testament. We can always turn to scripture to see how much the Lord loves us, and how He is always calling us to renew our love for Him.

The Devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Here are some quick facts that Emily shared about the history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

  • Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque 350 years ago (beginning in 1673)
  • He invited her to be a disciple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • St. Margaret Mary was a nun who lived in Paray-le-Monial – a tiny town in France
  • At the time, there was a heresy of Jansenism running rampant at the time. For example, a Bishop was bragging that barely anyone received the Eucharist in his diocese. Believers of this heresy denied the deep, true, and immense love of Jesus. Jesus appeared at this time to emphasize the purity, enormity, and authenticity of His love.
  • The devotion was approved by the pope in 1907
  • Emily recommends this book by Father Thomas Daily
  • St. Margaret Mary Alocoque received a tremendous mission to behold His heart that loves us so much!
  • Sadly, Jesus also explained that in response to his burning love for us, her receives coldness, indifference, and ingratitude

What can we do to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

Besides spreading the Sacred Heart devotion, Jesus gave St. Margaret Mary another beautiful mission – to recognize that we can do acts of reparation to the Lord.

Here are some concrete steps we can take to make reparation and console His precious Heart:

  1. Simply offer our hearts to the Lord
  2. Offer our Holy Communion to the Lord – especially as part of the First Friday Devotion
  3. Celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (in June)
  4. Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus the entire month of June
  5. Jesus also asked that His image be exposed and honored

The Sacred Heart Devotion Passed Down Through the Generations

Emily talked about how her mother reminds her of the incredible graces her family has received because of their devotion to the Sacred Heart. For example, she talked about how various family members devoted to the Sacred Heart die with peace. Her brother, who is a Catholic priest, confirmed that people of faith die with absolute peace. There are still sicknesses, hardships, and trials, but knowing the love of Jesus so deeply through this devotion has the power bring to a peace in our soul beyond what we can imagine.

Emily also shared her parents’ conversion as their devotion to the Sacred Heart deepened. As a family, they attended Mass and prayed the Rosary. However, when her father recognized that Jesus wanted to be the Lord, King, and Savior of their family, this changed everything, and a weight was lifted from her father’s shoulders. When they devoted themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a family, she said that her father felt that he could give his family, job, home, and stresses in his life to Jesus. What a gift!!

Her grandfather also established an amazing Sacred Heart apostolate out of Cincinnati. The 70, 80, and 90 year old men of this group created images of the Sacred Heart for First Communicants and churches all over the world, and even one for St. Mother Teresa! She sent him a birthday card! Her grandfather faithfully used his humble gift as an artist, and this demonstrates how God can use our gifts for His great glory.

Religion Without Love

I loved the part of the conversation when Emily explained how religion cannot be passed on without love. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can infuse our faith with love! I think that this is a key reason why the Catholic Faith has flourished so strongly and beautifully throughout the generations in Emily’s family. The flame may flicker, but with our eyes fixed on Christ and with our constant awareness of His love for us, nothing can conquer or extinguish that love. This was very inspiring for me to hear as a mother trying to pass on these truths to my own children. It’s truly better than anything that the world has to offer.

How to enthrone your home (or business, school, or diocese!) to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

An enthronement is the ultimate way to proclaim that Jesus is the King of your life. First of all, the enthronement does not supersede the Sacraments, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation. The enthronement is an extension of the Sacraments, and is in no way superstition. It is a way to put Jesus on the throne of our hearts and homes, and welcome Him in! We are building a covenant of love with Him right in our home when we establish a devotion to His Sacred Heart. Anywhere that needs to be renewed and strengthened by the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a perfect place to be enthroned to the Sacred Heart.

Two action items for the enthronement:

1. Obtain an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: (from the 12 promises of the Sacred Heart, promise #9) – “I will bless every place in which the image of my heart is exposed and honored.”

Tip for where to find an image of the Sacred Heart – Emily says try the thrift store! Just make sure that the image is respectful and reverent, but it does not need to be any specific one. The heart must be visible. See beautiful images at welcomehisheart.com. Jesus wants the image of Jesus’ Heart honored in our homes, parishes, work places, and schools.

2. Prepare your heart for Jesus’ coming: Self-directed 3-day or 9-day preparation for the Sacred Heart Enthronement – pray daily as a family and prepare for Jesus to enter your hearts and homes. (welcomehisheart.com)

See the rest of the instructions to complete your home enthronement here.

Home Enthronement FAQ

What if my entire family is not on board with the enthronement?

Emily said not to be discouraged if you are the only one who is ready to enthrone your heart and home to the Sacred Heart. She encourages you to just do it! As long as one practicing Catholic is dedicated to the enthronement, it is being done on behalf on the entire family. One person in the home is enough to bring the Kingdom of God to your home. The Lord will work through your life in so many powerful ways.

Do I need a priest to be present at the enthronement?

A priest is not required for the enthronement. You can ask the priest to bless the image beforehand, and let him know that you will be completing the parish. He would love to know about it!

A Final Powerful Promise from Jesus

Emily left us with a final word on the 12th promise from Jesus to St. Margaret Mary: “I promise you in excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.”

How to do the 9 First Fridays Devotion

To participate in the 9 First Friday Devotion, simply receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of 9 consecutive months. It’s always the first Friday, because Jesus died on Good Friday. In doing this, we are actively saying to Jesus “I love you!” This is an act of reparation, and we are offering up our Eucharist for those who offend Jesus, for those who disregard the Eucharist, and for those living in a life of sin. If you are worried about the world, Emily says that the graces of this devotion with renew your hope and faith.

We also discussed living First Friday versus doing First Friday. We can continue attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on First Friday and as often as possible to continuously renew our love for the Lord. It is an especially powerful devotion for parents to allow Him to transform our love for our spouse and children.

A Special Children’s Book: Saints of the Sacred Heart

Emily recently published a beautiful children’s book to help teach children about devotion to the Sacred Heart. You can see my full review of her gorgeous book here.

Emily explained that her main goal of the book was to help children cultivate a holy heart. The book gives children examples of different ways to transform their hearts to help them love and treat others better. She wanted the book to be timeless and instructional in the hearts of adults and kids. It is filled with 10 incredible saints who overcame difficult circumstances to inspire and root kids in some of the most important lives of the Church. You will even meet the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary who is also a saint! He encouraged her when others doubted what she was sharing about Jesus’ messages. These saints allowed Christ to change their lives, and we can be inspired to allow Christ to transform us too!

Find more from Emily Jaminet at www.emilyjaminet.com and www.welcomehisheart.com.

This article originally appeared on amazingcatechists.com on October 9, 2025.

Find Refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Through This 33-Day Consecration

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Ever hear the timeless expression, “wear your heart on your sleeve” to indicate showing vulnerable love? In the image of the Sacred Heart, what I find so poignant is how Jesus points to His revealed, unguarded Heart, leaving Himself vulnerable out of His desire to give His heart to us and to receive ours in return. He truly wears His heart on His sleeve, so to speak.

Home is Where the Heart of Jesus Longs to Live

Colloquial expressions can be taken for granted, but I dig deeper when I hear an over-used expression, such as, “Home is where the heart is.” I ask, whose heart? I say our home is where the Heart of Jesus longs to live. The Sacred Heart should be that from which our earthly home forms its beat. In my book, Our House of the Sacred Heart, the red house (pictured on the book’s cover and described in its pages) serves as a concrete metaphor for this reality ― that the Sacred Heart is our true home sheltering and embracing us no matter what befalls us… if we invite Him. “Say to the Lord my fortress, my refuge, my God in whom I trust!” (Psalm 91:1-2)

Our House of the Sacred Heart

What inspired me to write Our House of the Sacred Heart was the realization that I had been experiencing the presence of the Sacred Heart at work in my life all along and that the devotion had been handed down through five generations of my family. I spent so much time as a child in the house of my grandparents. It was a red house, brightly painted, the same color as the Sacred Heart. Inside it, I encountered a strong, time-tested faith that spanned many generations and left a big impact on me. This house became a metaphor for the refuge Jesus’ Heart provides. It taught me through the signal graces I experienced there that I can trust in Jesus no matter what. I started writing Our House of the Sacred Heart not long after the 2020 lockdowns had begun. Suddenly no one was visiting each other’s houses… everyone was just sheltering in place. I thought of how the heart of Jesus welcomes everyone. In my book, Our House of the Sacred Heart, the reader is invited to journey more deeply into that heart. We journey through 33 life lessons shared, each based on one of the lines in the Litany to the Sacred Heart. Each lesson includes an unforgettable story connecting moments in Scripture to our contemporary lives; inspiring prayers; devotions; discussion questions; and full-color classic art.

The way I’d sum up the message of these life lessons is this: I teach how to do what the hymn “O God beyond All Praising” advises:

“whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still… to marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways and make our joyful duty a sacrifice of praise.”

Seeking refuge and closeness to God in The House of the Sacred Heart brings us greater faith, hope, love… and joy. The book offers practical ways to consecrate your heart and enthrone your home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Become a Student of Grace

If you work to become what I call a “student of Grace” you’ll train your ear to hear the Sacred Whisper and train your eye to be attentive to the clues God leaves in each of our lives, like breadcrumbs leading us home to heaven. This goal might sound difficult or lofty but it is actually practical. I call it “the gift of the poet’s eye,” to pay attention to how the Word made flesh, the Author of Salvation, is calling you to see the poetry in your life… the symbols of faith, the beauty that comes through challenge.

How to Make your Home and House of the Sacred Heart

The book gives practical tips for how to make YOUR house a house of the Sacred Heart. It teaches how to plan an Enthronement ceremony, led by the priest or father of the home, making Jesus the King of your home, and Mary the Queen. The details of how to do this are outlined in one of the chapters in my book and once you enthrone your house to the Sacred Heart, you’ll notice it’s a game-changer! Other tips for how to make your house a house of the Sacred Heart include ways to decorate and devotions to incorporate and the book gives those in detail. Our House of the Sacred Heart is available on Amazon and anywhere books are sold.

Join the 33-Day Consecration to the Sacred Heart

I invite you to join a growing community that is embarking upon the online 33-Day Consecration to the Sacred Heart! At the time of this writing the Feast of the Sacred Heart is coming up this Friday… (June 11, 2021) but anytime is a blessed time to draw closer to Our Lord’s Heart! Sign up there with your name and email and for 33 days you’ll get brief, guided podcasts emailed to you each day!  It won’t take a lot of your time each day but it will be time well spent. Can you spare 10 minutes for God? Then, you’ll be praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, while also journeying a work of reparation one day at a time, and at the Finish Line on Day 33, Consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There’ll be stunning art, music, beautiful prayers and reflections. Can’t wait to journey with you! I hope you’ll register today.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto Thine.

This article was originally published on June 10, 2021 on www.amazingcatechists.com.

June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here is a round up of our favorite articles to help you observe this devotion in your home and classroom, as well as some other links for June feasts and holidays.

A Chat with Emily Jaminet: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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I previously had the pleasure and honor to speak with Catholic author, wife, grandmother, and mother, Emily Jaminet. She is also the National Executive Director of welcomehisheart.com, and my go-to source for everything related to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! We chatted about the history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, enthroning your home and heart to the Sacred Heart, her new Sacred Heart children’s book, and, most importantly, the burning, deep, healing, and incredible love of Jesus for each and every one of us.

Sacred Heart of Jesus: Devotion to Jesus’ Heart for Children

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Patrick O’Hearn’s book, Sacred Heart of Jesus: Devotion to Jesus’ Heart for Children, would be a perfect resource for renewing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also great for introducing families to the First 9 Fridays Devotion.

Find Refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Through This 33-Day Consecration

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Ever hear the timeless expression, “wear your heart on your sleeve” to indicate showing vulnerable love? In the image of the Sacred Heart, what I find so poignant is how Jesus points to His revealed, unguarded Heart, leaving Himself vulnerable out of His desire to give His heart to us and to receive ours in return. He truly wears His heart on His sleeve, so to speak.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Whole Family

by Alex Resch

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Over at CatholicMom.com, I shared my favorite books and resources for celebrating the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with your family.

Saints of the Sacred Heart

by Alex Resch

Saints of the Sacred Heart

Another article I wrote for Catholic Mom sharing how these 9 saints of the Sacred Heart inspired my family and me.

More helpful Sacred Heart articles from CatholicMom.com:

Sarah Damm shares 5 ways to grow in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Rosemary Bogdan explains the meaning behind the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

Emily Jaminet tells you how to give the Sacred Heart of Jesus a special place of honor in your home.

Catholic Coloring Pages, Art Lessons, and Catholic Gifts for Dad from Rest in Thee

Here are a whole list of coloring pages, a free drawing lesson, and Catholic Gifts for Dad submitted by Jennifer at Rest in Thee!

1. Corpus Christi Flower Girl Free Coloring Page

2. Corpus Christi Procession Coloring Page

3. Sacred Heart of Jesus Draw Along Free

4. Sacred Heart of Jesus Free Coloring Sheet

5. Tantum Ergo English and Latin Free Coloring Pages

6. June Father’s Day Catholic Homeschool Dad’s Gift

7. June Sacred Heart of Jesus Shirt

 

This Saint Valentine’s Day, Give Your Heart to The Sacred Heart

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Whether you have a Saint Valentine’s Day that delights or disappoints, the most important gift of hearts is the one each of us gives to Our Lord. The most strengthening Valentine we can receive is the chance to rest our head upon the Sacred Heart of Our Lord, listening to its beat; as St. John the Beloved did at The Last Supper. After all, St. John the Beloved was the only apostle to withstand witnessing the Way of the Cross. When we draw near to the Heart of Jesus, we are capable of so much more than we could do on our own!

Here’s a few ways to make this Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Month extra heartfelt:

  1. Place an image of the Sacred Heart with bouquet of flowers on the kitchen table or island as a reminder of your love, and His.
  2. Pray one of the many beautiful Sacred Heart prayers as part of grace before meals. Here’s one I like: Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
  3. Make Valentine’s food in honor of the Sacred Heart. After you make the cupcake recipe of your choice (I like chocolate with vanilla frosting!) top with strawberries cut into the shape of a heart. Or, bonus points: make Red Velvet cupcakes!
  4. Try making an easy Sacred Heart craft with your kids. Get a grapevine wreath resembling the crown of thorns, and place in the center of your dining table. Make a large heart out of construction paper. Upon that heart, each family member can write a prayer intention or a work of mercy they will offer to the Sacred Heart all month long. Place the heart in the middle of the wreath.
  5. Honor his Sacred Heart as present in the Eucharist through making a Holy Hour of Adoration and Reparation.
  6. Buy a new statue, candle or image of the Sacred Heart for your home. If you already have yours, consider buying one to give someone else… especially someone in need of a little extra love this Valentine’s month!
  7. Consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our House of the Sacred Heart is a 33-Day Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus filled with art, stories, and reflections to draw our hearts closer to His. It’s a great preparation for Lent as well as a wonderful Lenten companion. The hard cover has full color sacred art on every page. A podcast companion to the book, sent to your inbox for 33 dayshttps://www.bethanyplan.com/consecration-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/ offers reflections and music corresponding to each of the book’s chapters; another resource to make our hearts more like His… with each passing day. O Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto thine.

Happy Saint Valentine’s Month!

Enjoy these free Sacred Heart and St. Valentine coloring pages by Taylor Fitzgerald this St. Valentine’s Day! Simply click to download.

This post was originally published on Amazing Catechists on February 1, 2023, and updated on January 26, 2026 by Alex Resch.

Catholic Catechist and Family Resources for the New Year!

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I am wishing you and your family a joyful and blessed Christmas season! Glory to the Newborn King!!

2025 was a beautiful year here at Amazing Catechist as we welcomed new and talented writers onto our columnist team. We also enjoyed having some familiar contributors who have been writing for Amazing Catechist for many years pop back up on the site! It is truly a gift and a blessing to be sharing so many wonderful and inspiring resources with you all. We look forward to continuing to do so in 2026! I pray that we all continue to lovingly and zealously further God’s glorious kingdom!

Here is our January post with Catholic catechist and family resources from our archives. I also have some fun links from around the web for learning about and celebrating the Holy Name of Jesus (the church’s January dedication). Enjoy and God bless!

New Year’s Resolution: How to Increase Our Hospitality for Jesus in Our Hearts and Homes this Year

How about this for a New Year’s Resolution? Dr. Annabelle Moseley shares 5 practical and powerful ways for bringing Jesus into our homes this year. Try implementing one (or all 5!) personally or as a family in the new year.

Three Suggestions for Avoiding Burnout

This post is for all of you religious educators and catechists! After the Christmas festivities wind down, and we are returning to our classrooms, the winter blues can start to settle in as we try inspire and evangelize our students. In this post, Maria Rivera offers 3 helpful ways for avoiding burnout any time of the year!

10 Ways to Share a Breathing, Bleeding, Being Faith

This post by Cay Gibson is filled with TEN fresh and inspiring ways to encourage your students and families to live the faith beyond the religious education. This post is packed with wonderful resources for catechists and families, including a nice overview of the monthly dedications in the Catholic Church. There are also many wonderful ideas for ministries for children to participate in by grade and creative ideas for bringing the saints into your classrooms (spiritually and physically!).

Cardinal Newman’s Ideas on Children’s Religious Formation

Father Juan Velez writes: “Cardinal Newman, declared Blessed in 2010, carried out this work with a sense of measure and patience. He was demanding and strict when necessary but preferred to instruct and persuade youth. He wished them to grow in responsibility and become mature Catholics exercising a Christian influence in society. He teaches us by his example and way of thinking to carry out this important work of Christian formation in a similar way.”

Feast Days in January

9 Patron Saints of Education to Inspire Students and Catechists

I wanted to draw your attention to some special saint feast days coming up in January:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (January 4)

St. Thomas Aquinas (January 28)

St. Don Bosco (January 31)

What do these 3 saints have in common? They are all patron Saints of Education! You can read more about each of them (as well as other patron saints of education and students) in this post!

The Saints and the Schoolgirl

Here is a lovely post from Alice Gunther about how Saint Thomas Aquinas interceded for her. She also gives a practical list of how we can teach our children that the Saints are our special friends!

St. Valentine’s Day

This Saint Valentine’s Day, Give Your Heart to the Sacred Heart

7 beautiful ways to give your Heart to the Sacred Heart this St. Valentine’s Day! “Whether you have a Saint Valentine’s Day that delights or disappoints, the most important gift of hearts is the one each of us gives to Our Lord. The most strengthening Valentine we can receive is the chance to rest our head upon the Sacred Heart of Our Lord, listening to its beat; as St. John the Beloved did at The Last Supper. After all, St. John the Beloved was the only apostle to withstand witnessing the Way of the Cross. When we draw near to the Heart of Jesus, we are capable of so much more than we could do on our own!”

O Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto thine.

January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus! Here are some resources from around the web to help you teach and celebrate this month’s dedication:

  1. Information on the Holy Name of Jesus from Catholic Culture
  2. Here are 8 Ways to Honor the Holy Name of Jesus from Aleteia
  3. Look to Him and Be Radiant shares this awesome poster with the Holy Names of Jesus and a free coloring page to print!

This article originally appeared on Jan 3, 2025 on www.amazingcatechists.com.

Sacred Heart of Jesus: Devotion to Jesus’ Heart for Children

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Sacred Heart of Jesus: Devotion to Jesus’ Heart for Children

by Patrick O’Hearn

Illustrated by Adalee Hude

Published by Sophia Institute Press

Traditionally, June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but it is a powerful devotion to practice all year round! You may be interested in reminding yourself and your child about this devotion this October for St. Margaret Mary Alocoque’s feast day on October 16th. Patrick O’Hearn’s book, Sacred Heart of Jesus: Devotion to Jesus’ Heart for Children, would be a perfect resource for renewing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also great for introducing families to the First 9 Fridays Devotion.

What is the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

After a foreword by Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, the book begins with an Introduction to the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is one of the most (maybe, the most) powerful devotions that I person could commit to. Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque and instructed her to spread this devotion, and there are 12 remarkable promises associated with this devotion. The book clearly lays them out in the Introduction.

The Format of this Book

I love the layout and idea behind this book. The author has chosen 9 of each of the following to teach children about the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

1. A Scripture passage related to Jesus’ Sacred Heart

2. A message from Jesus (these are taken from private revelations from various saints as well as the author’s inspiration)

3. A Prayer

4. A flower associated with Jesus’ Passion

The book also has a variety of traditional prayers in Latin and English at the end, as well as daily prayers written by Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke.

Symbolic Flowers and Messages from Jesus

I thought that it was so unique to include both of these in this children’s book. The images of the flowers by Adalee Hude immediately drew me in, and I loved every single one. The beautiful artwork throughout the book is sure to also appeal to little minds and hearts.

The messages from Jesus are directed towards the child reading them (or, the child being read to). The messages are taken from private revelations of St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, St. Gertrude, and St. Faustina. The author also added in his own inspirations for these. They are very beautiful, moving, and the perfect length for a child to hear and meditate on them. The messages span from Jesus as a baby in His mother’s womb through His childhood, and all the way through His adult life to the present when we can find Him in the tabernacle. The messages relay how His heart has been hurt and how we can console His heart with prayers. These 9 sections can be read all at once, or read on 9 First Fridays as you complete that devotion with your child.

Final Thoughts

The gorgeous illustrations paired with powerful prayers and meditations make this book a home run for anyone who wants to share the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with children. You can read it on St. Margaret Mary Alocoque’s feast day, on First Fridays, or any time of the year.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus: Devotion to Jesus’ Heart for Children can be purchased from Sophie Institute Press.

Is Finger Yoga Safe?

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Israeli Stop Sign (Wikipedia Commons)

Today, a reader asks whether it is safe to use something called “Finger Yoga,” so I did a quick search and found an informative article by Susan Brinkmann, at one of my go-to resources, Women of Grace. You can read it here.

In its essence, Finger Yoga is the practice of using specific chants and finger positions, ostensibly to generate energy and spiritual awareness. In what seems like trendy PR, some also claim it helps with healing and weight loss. Unfortunately, like all yoga, the aim is to enter an altered mental state that leaves its users vulnerable to dangerous spiritual entities.

While its practitioners are very likely good folks with only the best intentions, the spiritual dangers cannot be overstated. With exorcisms on the rise all over the world, we need to be savvy about avoiding any practice that places our souls in jeopardy. I know from experience that this statement alone will elicit a firestorm of condemnation from certain quarters, but the facts remain: yoga is not just exercise or a practice of self-awareness, no matter how Christianised or modern it may seem; it is a pagan spiritual practice with the potential to invite unknown entities to enter our souls.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, by Pompeo Batoni Photo Credit: Lisa Mladinich

This EWTN video features brain researcher, Adam Blai, on the topic of Exorcism: How to Keep the Doors to the Demon Closed.

For Catholics interested in reading further, the Pontifical Councils for Culture and Interreligious Dialogue produced JESUS CHRIST, THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE: A Christian reflection on the “New Age”, which can be read free at this link, online.

On this lovely autumn Friday, my prayer is that all people will turn away from pagan and New Age practices to embrace with great faithfulness the Heart of the One through Whom we are made, in Whom we have life, and Who loves us more than we can fully comprehend: Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

(See also: Yoga: It Stretches the Bounds of Belief, by columnist, Mary Ellen Barrett)

 

 

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