Sacred Heart of Jesus with aureole

Sacred Heart of Jesus

A devotion deeply rooted in Catholic spirituality

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful expression of Catholic faith and popular piety. Jesus is depicted with a radiant, flaming heart – the ultimate symbol of love. As the liturgical preface says: “From His open side flow blood and water; from His pierced heart arise the sacraments of the Church. The heart of the Redeemer is open to all, that all may draw from the source of salvation.”

The devotion was revived by the Jesuits, particularly after the visions of Margaret Mary Alacoque between 1673 and 1675. Its roots, however, go back to German mysticism of the late Middle Ages, especially Mechthild of Magdeburg, Gertrude of Helfta and Henry Suso.

Although suppressed in the 18th century, the Jesuit Order and this devotion experienced a revival. In 1856, Pope Pius IX instituted the Feast of the Sacred Heart, celebrated every third Friday after Corpus Christi. The first Friday of each month is dedicated to the Sacred Heart as a day of Reparation and for giving Communion to the sick. In 1899, Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart in his encyclical Annum Sacrum.

Sacred Heart Fires in Tyrol

A popular tradition is the Sacred Heart fires, originating in 19th-century South Tyrol and still practiced throughout Tyrol today. These fires stem from solstice bonfires, later reinterpreted in memory of the 1796 Sacred Heart vow, when Andreas Hofer’s troops unexpectedly defeated the Franco-Bavarian forces “with God’s help.”

Iconography of the Sacred Heart

The Sacred Heart is depicted encircled by a crown of thorns, with flames and a cross above. Jesus is often shown blessing with His right hand and pointing to His heart with His left. The heart, placed at the center of the chest, symbolizes Christ’s spiritual presence and unconditional love for all humanity.