Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began in the eleventh century but is firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture.  The most significant source for the devotion as it is practiced today comes from visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-90), a French nun who received apparitions from Jesus Christ.  Jesus showed her his wounded heart aflame with love for humanity and suffering from our ingratitude and indifference.  Devotion to the Sacred Heart is associated with attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on five First Fridays in a row, undertaking acts of prayer, charity, and penance in reparation for the many offenses people continually inflict on Jesus, and consecrating one’s self to His Sacred Heart.  Consecration means a prayer of formal dedication.  It expresses and intention of total surrender to the Savior in gratitude his plessings and a pledge of faithfulness going forward.  For more information on how to live a devotion to the Sacred Heart, see here:  https://www.catholicgentleman.net/2014/06/7-ways-to-honor-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/

Related is a devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Luke records her pondering the events of Jesus’ infancy and childhood in her heart and being told by Simeon that a sword would pierce her heart.  It is a devotion ot Mary’s interior life, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, above all, her perfect love for God and humanity.  No other creature is as closely associated with our redemption as the Blessed Virgin Mary.  She always leads us to Jesus.  Our Lady explained at Fatima that she was sent because Jesus wanted to estblish in the world the devotion to her Immaculate Heart.  For more information, see here:  https://www.marian.org/13th/firstsaturday.php

Many parishioners have ordered their own copy of these paintings to place in their homes.  You can order them at these links:

https://smith-catholic-art.pixels.com/featured/sacred-heart-of-jesus-olmc-smith-catholic-art.html

https://smith-catholic-art.pixels.com/featured/immaculate-heart-of-mary-olmc-smith-catholic-art.html