The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, though rooted in the late Middle Ages, blossomed into one of the most prominent Catholic devotions in modern times. This surge in popularity can largely be attributed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, who lived between 1647 and 1690. Her mystical experiences profoundly impacted Catholic spirituality, and through her, devotion to the Sacred Heart began to spread widely.
St. Margaret Mary reported that Jesus appeared to her, revealing the depth of His love for humanity, symbolized through His Sacred Heart. He expressed His desire to be honored in this form, and her superiors eventually accepted these revelations. Although her claims initially faced skepticism, the message she conveyed ignited a movement of devotion centered on the compassionate and merciful love of Christ, embodied in His Sacred Heart.
This devotion emphasizes the limitless love of Jesus towards all people and encourages practices such as frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, the observance of Holy Hours, and Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. These practices became hallmarks of the Sacred Heart devotion, helping to foster a renewed focus on the loving nature of Christ’s relationship with humanity.
As the devotion spread across France and beyond, it inspired the construction of numerous churches and chapels, many of which were expiatory temples –built as acts of reparation for sins against Christ’s love. These buildings, often grand in their design, were meant to serve as a public testament to the devotion and a reminder of the need for reconciliation. One of the most famous examples is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur, which stands as a monumental expression of this devotion.
The devotion soon spread throughout Europe, inspiring similar constructions in countries like Spain, Italy, and beyond, reaching as far as Latin America and the Philippines. In each of these places, the message of Christ’s unbounded love and the call for personal and communal reparation took root.
Today, these churches and shrines dedicated to the Sacred Heart are found worldwide. They stand as outward signs of an enduring spiritual devotion, continuing to draw the faithful into deeper reflection on Christ’s love and His call to compassion and mercy. The legacy of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque's vision lives on, as devotion to the Sacred Heart remains part of Catholic practice globally.
