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What are the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart?
Let’s remind ourselves of these beautiful graces!
You’ve probably read them before, but—on this joyful Solemnity of the Sacred Heart—let’s review the magnificent promises of Our Lord to those devoted to His Heart!
Sacred Heart of Jesus with Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga by José de Páez
Revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, these promises show us in no uncertain terms just how much Our Lord desires that we devote ourselves to His loving Heart.
For those who do, He promised:
- I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their homes.
- I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
- I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
- I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
- Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
- I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
The twelfth promise refers to the First Friday devotion—a very easy way to insert devotion to the Sacred Heart into our monthly routines. All we have to do is receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays (ensuring we go to Confession beforehand if we are not in a state of grace), offering these Communions in reparation for the sins committed against the Sacred Heart.
There are many other additional, daily ways to place ourselves in the Heart of Christ. A simple thought of love and affection means so much to Him. “Jesus, I trust in You!” or “Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!” are other little prayers we can offer to more firmly bind ourselves to this Heart that loves us so much.
Learn more about how to practice this devotion in Behold This Heart: St. Francis de Sales and Devotion to the Sacred Heart. Through a series of nine reflections, Fr. Thomas Dailey will help you dive deeply into the love of Christ, enter into the way of prayer that formed St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, overcome fear, develop supernatural confidence, and so much more. Available today at The Catholic Company! -
What does the name "John" mean?
“His name is John…” –Luke 1:62
“What then will this child be?”
—Luke 1:66
Those were the words in every household of the hill country of Judea after the birth of St. John the Baptist, which we celebrate today.
The circumstances of his birth had certainly been wondrous: his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were well beyond the age for having children; Zechariah had been afflicted with inexplicable muteness all throughout her pregnancy; and that muteness had been instantaneously cured when he had confirmed the child’s name: John.
What is the importance of this name? Why John?
Botticelli’s Madonna and Child with the Young St. John the Baptist
The name “John” in Hebrew means “God is gracious.” We can certainly see the purpose of this name if we consider his role as the forerunner of Christ.
The purpose of John’s name becomes even clearer when we look at his parents’ names. Zechariah means “God remembers,” and Elizabeth means “God of oaths” or “God has sworn.” God promised a Savior to mankind directly after the Fall, and confirmed His covenant throughout salvation history—He never forgot His promise. He remembers always, and is faithful to what He has sworn.
St. John is the herald of the Messiah, Who is the fulfillment of God’s promise, the great expression of His unfathomable graciousness and mercy. The time of salvation is very near; the light of Christ is coming “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,” as Zechariah says in the beautiful canticle he speaks after the birth of his son.
Celebrate today’s Feast of the Nativity of the great St. John the Baptist with our beautiful ceramic tile depicting Botticelli’s Madonna & Child with St. John. Designed and printed right here in Charlotte, NC, this piece features Botticelli’s classic image of Our Lady and the Child Jesus with a young St. John the Baptist, who looks at us and invites us into this sacred scene. Perfect for a prayer space or bookshelf! Order yours at The Catholic Company today!
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Who is the Patron Saint of Politicians?
On the feast of this saint, let us pray for our civil leaders.
They say that Sir Thomas More was so good at his job (Chancellor of England, which included the duties of judge) that they ran out of cases for him to decide.
He was a brilliant lawyer, a wise householder, a man of great humor and an affable disposition, a devoted husband and father. He was an author, poet, scholar, and a skilled opponent of Martin Luther. He was elected to Parliament early in his career, knighted later on, and held many other prestigious positions besides.
But greater than all this was his devout faith. He considered the priesthood before opting for the married state, and wore a hair shirt as a continual penance. He was devoted to the Holy Eucharist and reflected deeply on the Passion of Christ.
The famous portrait of Sir Thomas More by Hans Holbein the Younger
You may know how the story unfolded: how this virtuous statesman opposed his friend, King Henry VIII, when the latter chose his own way over God’s law; how he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for his fidelity to Christ’s Church; how he stayed faithful through all those hours and days, steadfast in prayer. Within the walls of that prison he wrote his famous Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation and his magnificent reflection on Christ’s Agony, The Sadness of Christ.
No threat or reward could move Sir Thomas from his devotion to the truth. It would cost him his life. He went to his death on July 6th, 1535, as “the King’s good servant, and God’s first.”
For his heroic example of virtue and fidelity in the role of statesman, this martyr is the patron of politicians. Today’s feast day is therefore an apt day to pray for our civil leaders, especially those who have wandered far from the path of truth.
Read more about the heroic St. Thomas in The King’s Good Servant but God’s First: The Life and Writings of St. Thomas More. This unique and readable book explores More’s life through his books and letters, offering a comprehensive portrait of his thought and spirituality. A must-read for all devotees of More and those who want to better acquaint themselves with this saint, who is truly a patron for our times. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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Meet the Rich Kid who gave up all his wealth for Christ...
What would you give for the sake of the Kingdom?
The young Spanish nobleman had the world at his feet.
He had riches, a renowned family, a noble name. He had education and opportunity. He was a page of the King. He had a glorious future ahead of him among the most prestigious personages in the kingdom.
But it wasn’t enough.
Aloysius desired a pearl of far greater worth than any worn at the royal court. A pearl that belonged to a heavenly Kingdom.
This pearl would cost all his earthly possessions. Indeed, it would claim his whole life. But he gave it willingly, joyfully, bravely.
Aloysius Gonzaga was born in 1568 to a powerful noble family in Castiglione, Spain. Of a profoundly pious disposition, he practiced a life of intense prayer and mortification even from childhood. He studied in Italy and received his First Communion from St. Charles Borromeo.
At the age of thirteen he was sent to the court of Philip II in Spain, where he was a true lily among thorns. Amidst the corruption and immorality of court life, he was untouched by it, persevering heroically in virtue, prayer, and sanctity.
As a young man of nobility, he was expected to follow a life of worldly accomplishment. But he had other ideas—he wanted to join the Jesuits!
The Vocation of St. Aloysius Gonzaga by Guercino
He had to overcome the opposition of his family, but at last he was allowed to renounce his inheritance and enter the order he desired in Rome at age seventeen. Here the novice needed no reminders about keeping up his devotions and austerities and was a brilliant student. He studied under another saint, St. Robert Bellarmine, who would later promote Aloysius’ beatification.
Aloysius was still a seminarian when the plague struck Italy, and devoted himself to the care of the sick. He contracted it himself and died on June 21st, 1591 at the age of twenty-three, a model for young people everywhere. He is the patron saint of students and is buried in the magnificent church of San Ignazio in Rome, along with his teacher, St. Robert Bellarmine.
How did St. Aloysius do it? How did a kid born into rank and privilege serve God so completely, so totally—all his life? Find out in Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, S.J.: With an Undivided Heart. This work offers fascinating insights into the life and spirituality of this saint, drawing from his own letters and reflections and other historical documents. An inspiring read for all Catholics—young or old!—who desire to serve God with an undivided heart. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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Which Martyr Died Sheltering A Priest?
Would you trade places with a priest whose life was in danger?
Bang bang bang!
Alban leaped to his feet. It was late at night, and he had just been finishing his prayers to the gods. The sudden noise got him off his knees in an instant.
Who could be at the door at this hour, in the pouring summer rains of Roman Britannia, an inhospitable place at any time of year?
Who could be knocking on the door…?
Alban strapped his sword on, just in case. Then he pulled a torch off the wall and—slowly and cautiously—opened the door.
There, in a heap on the step, wet and exhausted, was a man. He looked harmless.
“Who are you?” Alban said, feeling no threat from the stranger, but mistrustful nonetheless.
The man looked up at him, his eyes sharply reflecting the flickering light of the torch.
“I am a priest of the one God,” he said. “I am a Christian.”
Alban stiffened. He’d heard of these Christians but had never met one, and knew they weren’t well-liked among the local Roman powers-that-be. Some had even been killed.
“I am pursued by the agents of the governor,” the priest went on. “I will not stay here long. Only enough time to recover and I will leave you in peace.”
Alban didn’t pay much attention to the last part. He had already begun ushering the stranger inside. He took the priest’s walking staff and wet cloak and threw another log on the fire.
“You are welcome here,” said Alban. “Sit, I will prepare you something hot. Now, please tell me…” He paused a moment, a little surprised at his own curiosity. “Please tell me about your God.”
The rest is history. Alban—a pagan from the area of Roman Britain now known as St. Albans, north of London—was converted in the following days by the words and example of that Christian priest.
But the priest’s pursuers caught up to him eventually. When it became clear what was about to happen, the newly-baptized Alban clothed himself in the cloak of the priest and offered himself up in his place. He was brought before the authorities and scourged, but refused to give up his new faith and was sentenced to death.
A stained-glass depiction of St. Alban at a church in Yorkshire (photo credit: Dave Webster/CC BY 2.0)
They say that when Alban was marched to the place of execution, he stopped the waters of an impeding river so that they could cross. They also say that a fountain of water sprang up on the hillside where he was beheaded. He was the very first martyr of Great Britain, killed for his faith in the 3rd or 4th century A.D.
The legends of St. Alban’s life come to us mostly from the work of St. Bede the Venerable in the 8th century, but he has been revered in England since the 5th. He is one of the great patrons of that country which—we hope and pray—will soon return to her ancient faith.
The old country sure has given us some great saints and scholars, hasn’t she? We’ve encapsulated some timeless British wisdom in our Holy Spirits Coasters, which feature memorable lines from some of England’s most famous sons: Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, and Hilaire Belloc (well, Belloc was sort of French, but we won’t hold that against him). Pair them with our bestselling Drinking with Your Patron Saints for a fantastic wedding or birthday gift! Available today at The Catholic Company!
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Did the Spanish Inquisition really kill thousands of unbelievers?
…or is this widespread “fact” just a “Black Legend”?
Did the Spanish Inquisition really burn thousands of heretics at the stake?
Did it regularly issue draconian punishments to anyone who didn’t agree with the Church’s teachings?
Nope.
The notion that the Spanish Inquisition dealt out death sentences, torture, and cruel punishments to thousands of innocent, free-thinking heretics is traceable to a number of cultivated myths.
Near the end of the 16th century, northern European Protestants began a conscientious propaganda campaign against their enemies, the Spanish. It included much disinformation about a lot of things, including the supposed cruelties of the Spanish Inquisition.
These propagandized calumnies spread through Europe via pamphlets and books (with the newly-invented printing press speeding this process along) and were adopted by later enemies of the Church, as well. It was an anti-Spain, anti-Catholic historical thread that became known as the “Black Legend.” Much of the disinformation about the Spanish Inquisition has its roots in this “legend.”
Let’s do some research!
The actual numbers of heretics condemned to death by the Spanish Inquisition are actually small, even considering the fact that the Spanish Inquisition was a state institution, rather than a Church institution, and was at times abused by the monarchs (and excoriated by the Holy See for politicized sentences).
Furthermore, the Spanish Inquisition—reputed to be so severe—actually only condemned 1.8% of the accused to death in 130,000 heresy trials between 1478 and 1834 (that’s 356 years!) according to the meticulously-researched book Vatican Secret Archives: Unknown Pages of Church History.
Another 1.7% were sentenced “in absentia” (the whereabouts of the accused being unknown, an effigy was burned in their place). But most of the defendants were acquitted or given punishments—most of which were spiritual—such as a penance or pilgrimage.
Vatican Secret Archives also notes that the Portuguese (whose Inquisition was actually more severe than Spain’s) received no such treatment in the press. The reason was that they were allies of the propagandists.
So: don’t believe everything you read on the internet. You don’t even have to believe us. You can learn the truth about the Inquisition for yourself in Vatican Secret Archives: Unknown Pages of Church History. Brimming with top-notch research drawn from the Vatican’s own archives and the work of expert historians—and filled with hundreds of beautiful photos—this book tackles the controversies surrounding not only the Inquisition, but the Crusades, the trial of Galileo, the colonization of the New World, and more. Order yours at The Catholic Company today! -
What are the "Floral Carpets" of Corpus Christi?
These evanescent works of art are things of timeless beauty.
Say you decided to take a vacation to the little village of Spycimierz, Poland, for the feast of Corpus Christi (traditionally today, but usually celebrated in the US this Sunday). The morning of the feast, you wake up, look out the window, and are greeted by a most unusual sight.
The villagers—all of them, it seems!—are as busy as worker ants, creating something on the road. They are arranging colorful flowers in various elaborate patterns in a path that seems like it stretches on forever down the street. As you look down from your window, sipping your morning coffee, you see all kinds of beautiful sacred images and designs come to life.
What’s it all about?
The villagers are carrying on a tradition that has been going on for generations in their town. They are creating a floral pathway for the Corpus Christi procession that will take place after Mass, when Our Lord in the monstrance will be carried throughout the town, in joy and festivity.
Spycimierz is particularly known for this tradition, but it is hardly alone in the world. You can find stunning floral carpets elsewhere in Poland, in Italy, in Spain, in South America. Parishes here in the US have even taken up this tradition!
The artwork will be destroyed as many feet tread over them during the procession, but it’s unlikely anyone thinks of it as a waste. These works (and the labor they require) are humble gifts for Our Lord, Who has given us a gift beyond anything we can hope to repay in the Blessed Sacrament. The beautiful carpets are a small reminder of Who is passing by that day—the same Person Who humbly dwells daily in our churches, our monstrances, in our own unworthy selves in Holy Communion.
What a gift!
Our Lord has, time and again, chosen to lift the sacramental veils and remind us of His Eucharistic presence in very visible, tangible ways. In Lanciano, Italy, a host turned into visible Flesh; an altar cloth in Stich, Germany, was stained red with His Sacred Blood. Read about these stunning miracles—and many more—in Eucharistic Miracles and Eucharistic Phenomena in the Lives of the Saints. Available today at The Catholic Company!
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What are "Jesus Beads"?
Discover this simple yet powerful devotion from the Eastern Catholic Church.
If you have friends or family who belong to one of the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, you may have noticed that they often carry something that looks an awful lot like a rosary, but doesn’t seem to have the right number of beads.
This “rosary” may have 33, 50, or 100 beads or more. Sometimes they are separated into groups; sometimes they are all strung together. The ends of the “rosary” are usually tied together with a cross or crucifix.
These beads are not, in fact, rosary beads, but chotki, or “Jesus beads.” Upon each bead is prayed the beautiful Jesus prayer, beloved in the Eastern Church:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
The idea behind the chotki is the continual remembrance and invocation of the name of Jesus. With this precious Name continually on our lips and in our hearts, we implore Jesus to remain with us and abide in us, and fortify us against the encroachment of sin and ill words and thoughts.
As St. John Chrysostom said about this prayer:
“The Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, descending into the depths of the heart, will subdue the serpent holding sway over the pastures of the heart, and will save our soul and bring it to life.”
The Jesus prayer is meant to be prayed continually. Some people pray their chotki strands many, many times a day. It’s a prayer that has no definite endpoint because it’s a prayer that’s never finished.
Of course, you don’t have to be Eastern Catholic to participate in this ancient tradition! You can pray the Jesus prayer: it’s so simple to memorize, yet so profound and powerful. At The Catholic Company, we carry a lovely 100-bead set of chotki to assist you in this devotion. This set is crafted of olive wood from the Holy Land and is finished with a large Jerusalem cross. Comes in a white cloth case with a prayer card describing the Jesus prayer. Order yours today!
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What is the "Surrender Novena"?
From the Heart of Jesus comes a remedy for all our worries.
The Surrender Novena is a beautiful devotion which Our Lord Himself gave us through the holy Italian priest Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo, of whom his contemporary Padre Pio said, “The whole of paradise is in your soul.”
Fr. Ruotolo—a Servant of God—lived in obscurity and even now is not well known. His life was full of suffering, but he accepted all for the love of Jesus and the conversion of souls.
Fr. Dolindo received extraordinary communications from Our Lord, most famously about His Providence and care for us. Jesus told him that He desires us to abandon everything in our life into His hands—everything!—without exception and without reserve.
To help us put this into practice—being so accustomed as we are to trying to control everything in our lives—Our Lord gave Fr. Dolindo the Surrender Novena. Each day includes a reflection from Christ Himself on the nature of this total abandonment to His Providence. Here is a beautiful example from day 8:
Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say, “You take care of it,” I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you.
Each day, the soul receives a new consolation from Our Lord in which He speaks in the most loving and generous terms of His desire to take care of all our needs, if only we will give up our worry and anxiety. Each reflection ends with a tenfold recitation of the prayer, “O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”
Pray this Novena and find peace in Our Lord! Here at The Catholic Company, we designed a chaplet specifically for this devotion. This lovely chaplet is composed of burgundy Czech fire-polished crystal beads and finished with a silver Sacred Heart medal from Italy. Includes a prayer card with the prayers of the Novena. Available today at The Catholic Company!
