In His revelations to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque from 1673-1675, Our Lord Jesus Christ asked that He be “honored under the figure of His heart of flesh … environed with flames, crowned with thorns, and surmounted by a cross”. The Divine Mercy devotion removes the Sacred Heart from the image of Jesus.
It seems self-evident that there is a contradiction here. Did Jesus ever explain to Sister Faustina why He changed His mind? Let’s discuss this.
In His approved revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Our Lord specifically asked for devotion to the image of His Sacred Heart.
In the words of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:
“One day, on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, after Holy Communion, the Heart of Jesus was represented to me as on a throne, formed of fire and flames, shedding rays on every side and brighter than the sun. The wound which He received upon the Cross was clearly visible; a crown of thorns encircled the Sacred Heart, and it was surmounted by a cross.
“Our divine Savior gave me to understand that those instruments of the Passion signified that the source of all His sufferings had been the boundless love of His Heart for men; that all those torments and insults had been placed before Him, from the first moment of His Incarnation; and that the Cross was, so to say, planted in His Heart, from that moment. And then, from that same moment, He accepted all the sorrows and humiliations which His sacred humanity was to suffer during the course of His mortal life, together with all the outrages to which He was to expose Himself to the end of time for the love of mankind by dwelling amongst them in the Blessed Sacrament.”
“My Savior assured me that He took a singular pleasure in seeing the interior sentiments of His Heart honored under the figure of this heart of flesh in the manner in which it had been represented to me, environed with flames, crowned with thorns, and surmounted by a cross.
He said that He wished that this representation shouldbe publicly exposed in order to touch the insensible hearts of men.
“He promised me, at the same time, that He would shed in abundance the treasures of graces with which His Heart is filled upon the hearts of those who honored Him; and that, wherever this image should be exposed for particular veneration, it should draw down upon the spot every kind of blessing.”
After having so poignantly requested devotion to this Sacred Image of His Heart, why would He then return and ask for devotion to an image of Him which omits His Heart?
Our Lord Jesus Christ explained to Sister Lucia of Fatima that He desires to see devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary placed alongside of devotion to His Most Sacred Heart. Yet today, many believe that after telling Sister Lucia that, He then appeared to Sister Faustina and demanded devotion to an image (supposedly of Him) without the heart. What happened to make Our Lord decide to contradict His own words asking for the image of His Heart to be honored?
Our Lord said clearly that He intended that the image of His Heart be displayed so that it would “Touch the insensible hearts of men”. When, precisely, did Our Lord rescind that request in His apparitions to Sister Faustina? Until someone provides proof that my Lord Jesus Christ no longer requires devotion to the image of His Sacred Heart, I will honor Him in the way that He has already, over many centuries, requested and approved of with so many miracles.
How is eliminating the image of the Sacred Heart an improvement? Why is it more edifying to remove the image of Our Lord’s Most Sacred Heart?
It seems to me that this strange heartless devotion fits in very well with the rest of the conciliar changes that have denuded the Church of its beauty and grace. I believe that it hurts Our Lord very much for us to forsake the cherished and proven devotion to the Image of His Sacred Heart, which yielded so much beautiful spiritual fruit, so many saints, so many martyrs for this empty, asinine image.
Can you imagine the brave martyrs of the Vendee placing that strange image on their breasts to inspire them as they defend the Faith with their lives? How ludicrous!
I cannot give you some deep theological discourse, only my simple, very practical explanation that the Divine Mercy devotion does not seem, to me, to be any improvement, to offer any additional edification over the current Sacred and Immaculate Hearts devotions which have given us such a profusion of graces and numerous saints and martyrs. Time is short, for me, every minute counts, and I cannot waste my time on what is at best, a doubtfully beneficial devotion.
Please understand that I am not casting aspersions on Sister Faustina, nor am I denying that others seem to have benefitted from the Divine Mercy devotion. That is for the experts and today, everyone who has a blog seems to feel certain that they are not just experts, but better qualified experts than everyone else. I only share my own impressions, and that is that the Divine Mercy devotion is a poor substitute, an obstacle really, to my devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Joseph and the Holy Family. Those beautiful devotions are so ingrained in me that no one who knows me can picture me without them. If you find the Divine Mercy devotion helpful, please do not let me scandalize you!
But I will still have to say, why do you pray the Chaplet, when Our Lady asked us for Rosaries? Why do you revere this strange image of Jesus, without His Sacred Heart, without the thorns, without the flames, without the cross? How is that better for you? And do you not see how now, Pope Francis is making use of this same “mercy” which is not the Sacred Heart’s mercy, to change the Church, to lead it away from true mercy, which is always based on Divine Justice? If you doubt me, read closely the words of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, which show the basis of mercy is justice.
To those who ask me to cite references, please look it up for yourself. Please do not think me rude. I have learned that any reader can easily ask a question, it takes just a moment of their time, but then I must spend hours, sometimes days, researching, tracking down what they ask for. So, look it up.
The Sacred Heart devotion is a rich source of true Catholic dogma of the faith. I have seen nothing comparable in D. M. devotion. It was forced through by John Paul II. Who kissed the Koran. Who gave us Assisi. Who added on mysteries to Our Lady’s rosary which she did not ask for while ignoring what she did ask for.
Consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
O Sacred Heart of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee.
This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee. I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O most merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited.
I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee. I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite goodness, grant that my name be engraved on Thee, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen (composed by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque)
One thing we do not have is time; we must make the best use of what time we have. Please – Consecrate yourselves and your family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may ever love Thee, more and more.
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live your Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff.
† Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come! Viva Cristo Rey!
† St. Joseph, protect us, protect our families, protect our priests.
† St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, King.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!