1. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 1.Life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque 2.Spread of Sacred Heart Devotion 3.What does Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus mean? 5.Life of Clelia Merloni…Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus… 6.How do we live the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

6. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque 1647 - 1690

7. Childhood *dad died when she was a young girl *relatives were mean and unkind to her and her mother *sent to a boarding school after her dad’s death *became very sick at school and was sent home *she prayed to Mary and was cured of her illness

8. Adulthood *became a Visitation Nun at Paray-le- Monial *novice – helped a nurse care for people *some people loved her and thought she was honest, patient and kind *some people disliked and criticized her as clumsy, slow and impractical

10. 1673-1675 Jesus Revealed Himself to her… *Jesus spoke to Margaret Mary several times *Jesus showed her His Heart *Jesus gave her 12 promises *Jesus asked her to spread devotion to His Heart

11. Jesus showed her His Heart “See this Heart which has loved so much and received so little love in return. Tell everyone that I really love them and that I want to be loved in return. If you love Me, pray and sacrifice for those who do not believe in My love or do not care about my Love.”

13. Jesus gave her 12 promises 1.I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life. 2.I will establish peace in their families. 3.I will comfort them in all their afflictions. 4.I will be their secure refuge during life and above all in death. 5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all the work they do. 6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

14. 7. Tepid souls shall become fervent. 8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. 9. I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart is exposed and honored. 10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. 11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be erased..

15. 12. To those who go to Mass and receive Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays, I will give the gift of faithfulness to the end of their lives. They will not die without receiving the Sacraments and they will be safe with Me in the last moment

16. Jesus asked her to spread devotion to His Heart *The Heart was a symbol of God’s overwhelming love for all people *Difficult to spread this devotion because of Jansenism *Some thought she was crazy. Some thought she was an imposter. Some became hostile toward her and made her life difficult.

17. Father Claude la Colombiere *He believed her and encouraged her *He guided her spiritually *Margaret Mary continued to treat others with kindness and gentleness even when they were cruel to her. *In time people began to listen to her and Devotion to the Sacred Heart began to spread.

18. Spread of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus *1690 St. Margaret Mary died *1697 a petition is sent to Rome to have the feast of the Sacred Heart celebrated *1718 the Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated in the Archdiocese of Lyons with the approval of the Archbishop *1765 the Feast of the Sacred Heart was approved by the Pope *1856 The Feast of the Sacred Heart is extended to the Universal Church

19. Mother Clelia Merloni, Foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Born: March 10, 1861 (in Forli, Italy) 1894: Founded the Apostles of the Sacred of Jesus in Italy 1900: Sisters were sent to South America 1902: Sisters were sent to the United States 1930: Mother Clelia died in Rome, Italy

20. Today, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are in many countries all over the world. Italy South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile United States Mexico Albania Africa: Benin, Mozambique Taiwan Philippines Haiti

21. What is Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? How do we live it out?

22. *Being kind, caring and helpful toward others *attending Mass on First Friday and receiving Holy Communion *Display an image of the Sacred Heart in home *Pray the Morning Offering *Making visits to church/chapel – taking time to pray *Love for the Eucharist – Adoration