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Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus' Promises in Your Life
Winner of a third-place award for spirituality books from the Catholic Media Association.
Do you yearn for the peace, protection, and joy of a Christ-centered home? The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the answer. Bestselling and award-winning author Emily Jaminet takes up each of the twelve promises Christ made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in a series of visions, puts a fresh new spin on the classic Catholic devotion, and invites you and your family to experience the profound spiritual benefits you will receive when you keep the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the center of your home. Appearing to her in a series of visions in 1673, Jesus promised St. Margaret Mary Alacoque that those who “expose and honor his most Sacred Heart” will find peace in the home, consolation in sorrow, and a source of refuge in times of trouble. In Secrets of the Sacred Heart , Emily Jaminet—executive director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network—weaves personal testimony, teachings, and reflection questions while exploring and applying each of Christ’s promises. Jaminet will guide you through a special enthronement ceremony to dedicate your home and inspire you to a lifelong devotion to the Sacred Heart. Whether you have already consecrated your home or are newly embarking on the journey of discovering the graces of this ancient practice, you will find a personal encounter with Jesus, who Videos and additional resources can be found at WelcomeHisHeart.com.
Do you yearn for the peace, protection, and joy of a Christ-centered home? The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the answer. Bestselling and award-winning author Emily Jaminet takes up each of the twelve promises Christ made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in a series of visions, puts a fresh new spin on the classic Catholic devotion, and invites you and your family to experience the profound spiritual benefits you will receive when you keep the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the center of your home. Appearing to her in a series of visions in 1673, Jesus promised St. Margaret Mary Alacoque that those who “expose and honor his most Sacred Heart” will find peace in the home, consolation in sorrow, and a source of refuge in times of trouble. In Secrets of the Sacred Heart , Emily Jaminet—executive director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network—weaves personal testimony, teachings, and reflection questions while exploring and applying each of Christ’s promises. Jaminet will guide you through a special enthronement ceremony to dedicate your home and inspire you to a lifelong devotion to the Sacred Heart. Whether you have already consecrated your home or are newly embarking on the journey of discovering the graces of this ancient practice, you will find a personal encounter with Jesus, who Videos and additional resources can be found at WelcomeHisHeart.com.
160 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 21, 2021
Secrets of the Sacred Heart is a great introduction to devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - its origin, meaning, value, and relevance. With pointed questions at the end of each chapter, it directs the reader to consider the devotion's importance in a life of faith. I'm grateful to the author for introducing me to the idea of Enthronement to the Sacred Heart and sharing her devotion with others. Recommended for Catholic families whether they already have a devotion to the Sacred Heart of not.
May 23, 2026
The book on devotion to the Sacred Heart is structured by providing a chapter on each of the twelve promises revealed to St. Margaret Mary concerning those who are devoted to the Sacred Heart. Each chapter includes personal anecdotes from the author and applications for our own lives. Some good historical information is sprinkled throughout, and the book does a nice job of going further than merely reiterating the story of St. Margaret Mary which is already widely known.
In her opening pages, Laminet writes, "Although this devotion to the Sacred Heart traces back to the beginning of the Church, it is perhaps more relevant now than it ever was. The Sacred Heart devotion is for all of us, right where we are, now. In a world that continues to grow colder and more confused, Jesus' Sacred Heart sets our hearts on fire with his love in order to burn off the bondages of sin." Well said.
And later on, quoting St. Margaret Mary, we understand the importance of this devotion for our times: "This devotion is as a last effort of his love...to favor men in these last centuries with this loving redemption, in order to withdraw them from the empire of Satan, which He intends to destroy, in order to put them under the sweet empire of His love and thus bring many souls by His saving grace to the way of eternal salvation."
Good:
The book includes a mix of St. Margaret Mary's writings with stories on how devotion to the Sacred Heart - like home enthronements and consecration to the Sacred Heart - lead to real fulfillment of the promises of our Lord even in this life.
Good information on Fr. Mateo's home enthronement and how we are to make our own homes into a Bethany. He specifically called for families to spend one night in prayer once a month before the enthroned image of our Lord's Sacred Heart saying, "Dear Bethanies, come out with lighted torches to meet Jesus Crucified and prove to Him that your house is really His dwelling place." This monthly vigil in front of the image of our Lord's Sacred Heart as a family is surely a practice worth adopting.
Incorporation of great prayers like Fr. Francois Xavier Gautrelet's Morning Offering Prayer. He was the founder of the Apostleship of Prayer in 1844. And the book featured a great history lesson on the Litany of the Sacred Heart on a point I never read before: "At [the time of St. Margaret Mary when the Litany of the Sacred Heart originated] the litany contained just seventeen lines; an additional thirty-three lines (the petitions invoking the 'Heart of Jesus') were later added to represent the thirty-three years of the life of Christ."
Specific attention is given to not only the enthronement of our homes but those of our businesses, schools, and organizations to the Sacred Heart. Employers, principals, mayors, and everyone in a position of authority should enthrone their endeavors publicly to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Not So Good:
Doesn't capitalize pronouns that refer to our Lord's name.
Throughout the book, uses the 1992 Catechism only, referring to it as "the Catechism" as if it was the only one when it is one of dozens of catechisms. And the New Catechism has several key issues throughout
Accepts the validity of post-1983 canonizations using the revised formula
There are several typos throughout the book that I would not expect from a publisher like Ave Maria Press. In one part they reference "St. Pius XI" when they mean "St. Pius X" and in another place they attribute a quote to "Pope Paul XI" who does not exist. I assume they mean Pope Pius XI but I am unsure. And in another place, it says, "The Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated forty days after the Feast of Corpus Christi." That too is incorrect.
All in all, this is a good book. It is an easy read and nicely combines practical applications of devotion to our Redeemer's Sacred Heart along with some good historical information. My two primary hesitations to recommend the book is its acceptance of the changes of the post-Vatican II era (e.g. the New Catechism, New Canonizations, the writings of modern day Popes, etc) and the many typos throughout.
However, I do not hesitate to recommend and encourage everyone to have their home enthroned to the Sacred Heart and to daily honor and worship our Lord's Sacred Heart. As quoted in the book, St. Claude de la Colombiere exclaims, "If men knew how pleasing this devotion is to Jesus, there is no Christian - however lukewarm they might be - who would not at once practice it. Urge souls, and more especially those serving God and religion, to consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart."
In her opening pages, Laminet writes, "Although this devotion to the Sacred Heart traces back to the beginning of the Church, it is perhaps more relevant now than it ever was. The Sacred Heart devotion is for all of us, right where we are, now. In a world that continues to grow colder and more confused, Jesus' Sacred Heart sets our hearts on fire with his love in order to burn off the bondages of sin." Well said.
And later on, quoting St. Margaret Mary, we understand the importance of this devotion for our times: "This devotion is as a last effort of his love...to favor men in these last centuries with this loving redemption, in order to withdraw them from the empire of Satan, which He intends to destroy, in order to put them under the sweet empire of His love and thus bring many souls by His saving grace to the way of eternal salvation."
Good:
The book includes a mix of St. Margaret Mary's writings with stories on how devotion to the Sacred Heart - like home enthronements and consecration to the Sacred Heart - lead to real fulfillment of the promises of our Lord even in this life.
Good information on Fr. Mateo's home enthronement and how we are to make our own homes into a Bethany. He specifically called for families to spend one night in prayer once a month before the enthroned image of our Lord's Sacred Heart saying, "Dear Bethanies, come out with lighted torches to meet Jesus Crucified and prove to Him that your house is really His dwelling place." This monthly vigil in front of the image of our Lord's Sacred Heart as a family is surely a practice worth adopting.
Incorporation of great prayers like Fr. Francois Xavier Gautrelet's Morning Offering Prayer. He was the founder of the Apostleship of Prayer in 1844. And the book featured a great history lesson on the Litany of the Sacred Heart on a point I never read before: "At [the time of St. Margaret Mary when the Litany of the Sacred Heart originated] the litany contained just seventeen lines; an additional thirty-three lines (the petitions invoking the 'Heart of Jesus') were later added to represent the thirty-three years of the life of Christ."
Specific attention is given to not only the enthronement of our homes but those of our businesses, schools, and organizations to the Sacred Heart. Employers, principals, mayors, and everyone in a position of authority should enthrone their endeavors publicly to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Not So Good:
Doesn't capitalize pronouns that refer to our Lord's name.
Throughout the book, uses the 1992 Catechism only, referring to it as "the Catechism" as if it was the only one when it is one of dozens of catechisms. And the New Catechism has several key issues throughout
Accepts the validity of post-1983 canonizations using the revised formula
There are several typos throughout the book that I would not expect from a publisher like Ave Maria Press. In one part they reference "St. Pius XI" when they mean "St. Pius X" and in another place they attribute a quote to "Pope Paul XI" who does not exist. I assume they mean Pope Pius XI but I am unsure. And in another place, it says, "The Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated forty days after the Feast of Corpus Christi." That too is incorrect.
All in all, this is a good book. It is an easy read and nicely combines practical applications of devotion to our Redeemer's Sacred Heart along with some good historical information. My two primary hesitations to recommend the book is its acceptance of the changes of the post-Vatican II era (e.g. the New Catechism, New Canonizations, the writings of modern day Popes, etc) and the many typos throughout.
However, I do not hesitate to recommend and encourage everyone to have their home enthroned to the Sacred Heart and to daily honor and worship our Lord's Sacred Heart. As quoted in the book, St. Claude de la Colombiere exclaims, "If men knew how pleasing this devotion is to Jesus, there is no Christian - however lukewarm they might be - who would not at once practice it. Urge souls, and more especially those serving God and religion, to consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart."
May 31, 2022
We had our home enthroned in the early 2000s when we were first married, and since then have experienced the blessings of Jesus' 12 promises to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in our home and family life. Secrets of the Sacred Heart helped to reignite the fire of my own devotion to Jesus' Sacred Heart and has inspired me to share this devotion with others. The book takes a fresh and in-depth look at the 12 amazing promises and explains how you and your family can grow in love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and experience His peace. Emily beautifully expresses her own deep love for the Sacred Heart and shares practical ways you can implement this devotion in your home. This book will definitely help you to know Christ more fully and experience His peace and love more completely. A must-read!
October 13, 2021
I hadn't really thought much about the Sacred Heart devotion before reading this, even though I was aware of it. I sort of knew about it. But Emily's book changed all that and makes me really want to practice this devotion! She walks the reader through the 12 promises that Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary to those who practice this devotion, and shows how it can impact every area of your life in so many positive ways. I'm so glad she wrote this book!
June 23, 2025
"Secrets of the Sacred Heart" is probably one of the best Catholic books I have ever read. Written from the heart. Speaks to the heart. Easy to read and relate to. I love how Ms. Jaminet laid out each chapter as well as the appendixes. If you are a Catholic that loves to learn more about there faith, this is a book to add to your collection!
June 27, 2026
Review: Secrets of the Sacred Heart by Emily Jamine
If you've ever longed for more peace, purpose, and the presence of Christ in your home, this is the book you didn't know you needed. Emily Jaminet has written something truly special here — and I mean that wholeheartedly.
At the center of "Secrets of the Sacred Heart" are the twelve promises Christ made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during a series of visions in 1673 — promises of peace in the home, consolation in sorrow, and refuge in times of trouble. That might sound like ancient history, but Emily has an incredible gift for making these promises feel immediate, personal, and completely relevant to the lives we're actually living today.
What I loved most is how the book is structured. Each chapter walks you through a single promise — exploring it, pondering it, and praying over it — so by the end, you're not just reading about the devotion, you're genuinely living it. The reflection questions are thoughtful and never feel like homework. They feel like a conversation.
Emily also shares powerful stories of how the Heart of Jesus has transformed real lives and given people the grace they needed to get through their daily struggles, and those moments are where the book truly shines. You feel her faith on every page — not in a preachy way, but in the way of someone who has walked this path and genuinely wants to bring you along.
She even guides readers through a special enthronement ceremony to consecrate their homes, which adds such a beautiful, tangible dimension to everything you've just read.
Emily, thank you for writing this. It's the kind of book you finish and immediately want to pass along to someone you love.
Regards,
Williams
If you've ever longed for more peace, purpose, and the presence of Christ in your home, this is the book you didn't know you needed. Emily Jaminet has written something truly special here — and I mean that wholeheartedly.
At the center of "Secrets of the Sacred Heart" are the twelve promises Christ made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during a series of visions in 1673 — promises of peace in the home, consolation in sorrow, and refuge in times of trouble. That might sound like ancient history, but Emily has an incredible gift for making these promises feel immediate, personal, and completely relevant to the lives we're actually living today.
What I loved most is how the book is structured. Each chapter walks you through a single promise — exploring it, pondering it, and praying over it — so by the end, you're not just reading about the devotion, you're genuinely living it. The reflection questions are thoughtful and never feel like homework. They feel like a conversation.
Emily also shares powerful stories of how the Heart of Jesus has transformed real lives and given people the grace they needed to get through their daily struggles, and those moments are where the book truly shines. You feel her faith on every page — not in a preachy way, but in the way of someone who has walked this path and genuinely wants to bring you along.
She even guides readers through a special enthronement ceremony to consecrate their homes, which adds such a beautiful, tangible dimension to everything you've just read.
Emily, thank you for writing this. It's the kind of book you finish and immediately want to pass along to someone you love.
Regards,
Williams
August 31, 2020
Secrets of the Sacred Heart is an invitation to go deeper into the twelves promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. An introduction the twelves promises given to St. Margaret Mary is given including the historical writings by popes and saints over the years.
The book is organized by a chapter for each promise that includes personal insights, exploring the promise, pondering the promise and praying the promise. This format makes this book a wonderful option to use as a devotional. I spend the first hour of each day reading a devotion and praying. I found that covering a promise each morning and at the end of my day reflecting on it was a wonderful way of not just reading about the promises but striving to live them. The questions in the Pondering the Promise section were a great opportunity to reflect, I always enjoy guided questions.
Whether you are already familiar with the secrets of the Sacred Heart or you want to know more about them, this book is a wonderful option to increase one’s devotion. I definitely recommend it.
The book is organized by a chapter for each promise that includes personal insights, exploring the promise, pondering the promise and praying the promise. This format makes this book a wonderful option to use as a devotional. I spend the first hour of each day reading a devotion and praying. I found that covering a promise each morning and at the end of my day reflecting on it was a wonderful way of not just reading about the promises but striving to live them. The questions in the Pondering the Promise section were a great opportunity to reflect, I always enjoy guided questions.
Whether you are already familiar with the secrets of the Sacred Heart or you want to know more about them, this book is a wonderful option to increase one’s devotion. I definitely recommend it.
December 9, 2020
This was the perfect book to read during my weekly Adoration. A chapter a week with questions to ponder that got me through to the next week and chapter. Highly recommended for those of you interested in enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, or like me, already enthroned but a great booster shot in the spiritual arm.
June 11, 2021
I learned a lot from this book about the Sacred Heart of Jesus and promises from Jesus for all that practice the First Friday devotions and the enthronement of the Sacred Heart. I actually felt Jesus’ love while reading this book. I will forever be grateful to the person that recommend this book to me.
July 1, 2021
Since June is the month of the Sacred Heart, I read this book in segments throughout the month, while participating in a weekly virtual book discussion with the author.
It is an easy and interesting read and is full of resources. I look forward to using some of these resources to continue learning about this devotion and enthronement.
It is an easy and interesting read and is full of resources. I look forward to using some of these resources to continue learning about this devotion and enthronement.
June 29, 2022
I wanted to read this book as way to grow closer to Jesus on the feast of the Sacred Heart. The author explained the twelve promises and enthronement. I would have liked more information of Saint Margaret Mary.
October 22, 2022
More than an academic text
I enjoyed this book. It gave the facts and history behind the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but also gave practical examples for living out this devotion. It was a work of heart and head, and very inspirational.
I enjoyed this book. It gave the facts and history behind the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but also gave practical examples for living out this devotion. It was a work of heart and head, and very inspirational.
March 21, 2024
A simple book with great insight into more about the Sacred Heart. This book made me more aware of a lot of aspects of what it is and why it is important. The prayers at the end of each chapter and at the end were particularly impactful to me.
February 18, 2026
This was great! I was just recently introduced to this devotion, and intend to carry it out. I love it! This book walks through and helps us to love each of the 12 promises of this devotion. It’s a nice read in Adoration, or a chapter before bed.
July 23, 2021
Great book to learn more about the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Easy to understand and motivating to grow closer to His heart.
July 7, 2022
Such a great book! I loved that is brought me closer to Jesus and talked about practical ways to bring his heart into your home ❤
August 30, 2022
Reading as part of our retreat. This little book as inspired me to look to the Sacred Heart for guidance. Thoughtful and inspiring.
January 2, 2025
Such a great way to connect your heart to Jesus Christ and show others how much you love him with those Sacred heart meanings
August 21, 2020
I’ve been reading this book as part of my daily spiritual reading, and I have learned a lot about the Sacred Heart. It is a beautiful mix of explanations of the promises of devotion to the Sacred Heart and prayers to enrich one’s devotion. I also really like that it has questions to help the reader reflect further on the promises, as well as practical applications for how to practice the devotion throughout daily life. This is a useful book for those curious about devotion to the Sacred Heart and for those who already practice the devotion. I highly recommend it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews