Healing Promises ─ The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This modern-day guide to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites the reader to enter into the love story that flows from the very heart of God. The book is divided into three sections: First, a comprehensive overview of the Sacred Heart devotion including information about the life and writings of Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SS.CC, Father Francis Larkin, Claude de Colombiere, and other contemporary devotees of the Sacred Heart tradition and its relevance for our times. The second part examines the Twelve Promises associated with this classic Catholic devotion and how they are impacting individuals and families today. 

These promises, given by our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, a seventeenth-century French Visitation nun whom Jesus called “the Beloved Disciple of My Heart,” are as follows:

• I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
• I will establish peace in their home.
• I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
• I will be their secure refuge during life and, above all, in death.
• I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
• Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
• Lukewarm souls shall be fervent.
• Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
• I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.
• I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
• Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written on my Heart.
• I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the 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.”

 
The third section of Healing Promises provides prayers and practices, including the enthronement ceremony for homes, as well as resources for further information on making the devotion a ‘way of life.'

Personal testimonies from those whose devotion to the Sacred Heart has been both healing and transformative engage the reader on a heart-to-heart level. This book will ignite spiritual renewal through holy friendship with the Lord, who longs for our love and seeks for us to make his Heart the center of our lives. This essential guide to the Sacred Heart devotion includes prayers for special circumstances, “Heart Notes” for personal reflection, and information to assist priests in the practice, and encourage others to practice it as well. 

Anne Costa is a Catholic author and speaker with five books published including Embracing Edith Stein: Wisdom for Women from St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Servant) and Refresh Me Lord! Meditations to Renew a Women’sSpirit (The Word Among Us Press). She works with two apostolates: Sacred Heart Apostolate, Inc.? as communications officer and the John Paul II Center for Women, Inc.? Anne is a wife and mother, and enjoys traveling, painting and Eucharistic adoration.?