Our human hearts were made to love and to be love; to give and receive love. Every beat of every heart is made possible through a God who IS love. But did you also know that the very heart of God beats just for you? That is what Jesus said when He spoke to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, Apostle of the Heart of Jesus, and revealed His enflamed heart to her.
The revelation of His heart is what we have come to know as the Sacred Heart of Jesus; one of the most recognizable images and symbols of our Catholic faith—but one of the least understood devotions of our day. We may know the image, but have yet to experience the depths of the “hidden” love story behind it.
In Healing Promises , you will learn about the many ways to express devotion to the Sacred Heart as well as the history and relevance of the Sacred Heart for our lives today. You will also hear from saints, popes and ordinary people who have been touched by the Heart of Jesus.
Healing Promises is truly a treasure trove of resources and inspiration for anyone who wants to learn more about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You’ll learn about the history and foundation of the Sacred Heart devotion as we know it today and the 12 promises Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque in private revelation. You’ll find prayers for the enthronement ceremony, reflections and practical ways you can apply the Sacred Heart devotion to your life. Author Anne Costa even provides a list of resources and recommended reading to help you take your devotion to the Sacred Heart even further.
Christ’s fidelity to the promises He offers through the Sacred Heart devotion is perhaps the best kept secret of our faith in these times. Journey to the center of His Heart, where His promises are real and his message will always You are not alone. You are loved!
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A beautiful devotional to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Anne Costa has provided a thoughtful, reverent devotional to the Sacred heart of Jesus. Anne provides history and background of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, interweaving thoughts and scripture linking our Savior's precious Heart with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The author includes separate chapters meditating on each tender aspect of the devotion relating to modern times. Tender, healing stories, Sacred Scripture passages, prayers, plus appendices on how to set up various Enthronements make this book a treasure for reference, Adoration and family devotion. Definitely a valuable spiritual aide to be used again and again. One of the most inspirational books I have encountered. God Bless you, Anne Costa.
EDIT: I enjoyed this book even more the second time around.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Healing Promises is divided into three main parts: the first shares information about the Sacred Heart, the second goes into the details of the devotions, and the third looks into the promises of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Initially, I struggled through the book. The information was excellent, but there was a lot put into a relatively small amount of pages. I thought the transitions between ideas were a little rough. However, by the time I was several chapters into the book, I could hardly stand to put the book down. It was incredibly interesting and beautifully written. I also felt that it flowed much more smoothly.
Costa did a phenomenal job making connections between the Sacred Heart and other devotions within the Catholic Church. I also appreciate how well she addressed potential misconceptions and superstitions. A person who is not familiar with how Catholics use images could've been confused or even concerned about this devotion, but Costa alleviated any concerns before they could even arrive.
Though I loved the chapter on The Eucharist, my favorite section was the one on the Promises. Costa provides a short explanation of the promises, healing stories that describe ordinary peoples' experiences of Promises of the Sacred Heart, and concludes with some relevant Scripture passages.
Though this was a very good book, I have two criticisms. The first is the first few chapters feeling choppy. It may just be a personal reader's preference, but I just didn't like it very much. My other criticism is the "heart notes" throughout the book. While I appreciate that Costa was challenging people to reflect on what they were reading, I felt like sometimes they were more like distractions. I think they would've served the book better either at the end of the chapter or formatted in such a way that it was more obvious where the reflection ended and the other content continued.
All that being said, I would readily recommend this book to any Christian who is looking to grow closer to Christ. I would especially recommend it for Catholic families who are looking for ways to build a Christ-centered household.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my HONEST review.
healing promises The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart by Anne Costa, is a most apt title for this book. For those who have never heard of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is a treasure house. For those with limited knowledge of the Sacred Heart and the associated devotions, it is a map to take them further on their spiritual journey. And even seasoned veterans who have dedicated their lives to living the devotion can find in it inspiration and a source of renewal to continue on the path. The book gives the history of the devotion, the promises made to those who participate in it, and the method and prayers of consecrating yourself and your family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Each short chapter has a Heart Note, a practical suggestion for the reader to use in their life. The appendices at the back of the book give detailed instructions on how to implement the Enthronement and suggestions for further reading. This is a book to be read and then lived by those who wish to enter into a deep, loving relationship with Jesus.
Costa leads the reader through an account of the revelations experienced by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, then breaks down the ways in which the faithful can foster devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their own lives. Costa’s writing is clear and to the point, and that does not get in the way of her obvious devotion to her topic. Read my full review. (ARC received from publisher)