Book Reviews and More: Devotion and Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - J. B. Midgley

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Devotion and Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - J. B. Midgley - CTS Devotions

Devotion and Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

J. B. Midgley

CTS Prayers and Devotions

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781860820519

eISBN 9781784692674

ASIN B071ZSKJYF

CTS Booklet D643

Devotion and Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - J. B. Midgley - CTS Devotions

This book was a pleasant surprise on a few levels; especially the involvement of J.B. Midgley. I have read over 80 books and booklets that are part of the CTS Prayers & Devotions Series. Some of the earlier ones are just mark CTS Devotions, but more recent ones have both Prayers and Devotions listed as the series name. This series has spanned decades. It has had books come in and out of print. This volume was published in the 1026, reprinted in 1974 and 1999 and the eBook was released in 2017, based on the 1999 edition. Over the last several years I have fallen in love with the books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. As of the reading of this volume I have read over 430 volumes. And still have almost 200 on my ‘wishlist’. But back to the volume at hand.

The description of this volume states:

“"As the source of love, God desires to make himself known; and the knowledge which the human being has of God perfects all that the human mind can know of the meaning of life." (Pope St John Paul II)

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of the most popular Catholic devotions. When Jesus died on the cross, his side – his heart – was pierced, blood and water gushing from the wound. The last drops of his blood were shed for mankind. This sign of his infinite love is recalled in this devotion.

First published as Prayers to the Sacred Heart in 1926, the popularity of this booklet and the ways in which it helped Catholics and other Christians, earned a new edition in 1999. This collection of most famous and best-loved prayers are collected here in a handy format, now with an explanation of the devotion and the saints attached to it – St John Eudes, St Margaret Mary Alacoque and St Claude la Colombiere.”

The chapters in the book are:

Introduction

What is the Devotion to the Sacred Heart?

St John Eudes

St Margaret Mary Alacoque

St Claude la Colombière

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Love of God

The Response of Man

Reparation

Consecration

A New Commandment

Daily Prayers

The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Note on Indulgences

In the introduction to this edition we are informed:

“Prayers to the Sacred Heart was first published in 1926 and revised in 1974. So well has the publication served great numbers of Catholics and, indeed, other Christian denominations in sustaining their devotion, that no modification of the original has been considered appropriate. However, some additional, introductory material has been included in the hope that it may be useful to many in their prayer and reflection.”

And also that:

“No small reliance has been placed upon the Psalms, those sublime prayers that Our Lord Himself used, and the words of hymns, the beauty of which can sometimes be veiled by a concentration on the music. Devotional practices, encouraged by Mother Church as supports of faith, frequently have the benefit of ‘Indulgences’ attached to prayers, the words of hymns and aspirations. For that reason, a Note on Indulgences is offered as a reminder of the current teaching of the Church.”

That introductory note was by J.B. Midgley one of my favourite CTS authors, and I was unaware of his involvement with this volume, until reading it. I highlighted a few of passages while working through this volume, some of them are:

“Pope Pius XII assured us of the theological foundations of this devotion in his encyclical Haurietis Aquas (1956). It emanates from the most important truth of our faith: that God is present to us now in Our Lord and Saviour, true God and true Man who has ascended to dwell at His Father’s right hand, His Divine Heart and the humanity He shares with us forever at one with the Blessed Trinity.”

“When Pope Leo XIII confirmed the heroicity of John Eudes’ virtues in preparation for his canonisation, he declared him the author of the liturgical worship of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Pope St Pius X added that he was to be regarded as the Father of the worship of the Sacred Hearts, as the Doctor of this devotion and its apostle, for he endeavoured by his efforts to spread it everywhere.”

“Margaret Mary was born at L’Hautcour, Burgundy, in 1647. Beset as she was by delicate health, her childhood was not without its trials. At the age of twenty-four she entered the Convent of the Visitation at Paray-le-Monial and shortly afterwards, between 1673 and 1675 was favoured with visions of Our Lord who besought her to kindle devotion to His Heart as symbolising His love for mankind but which is so often rejected.”

“Her influence on the devotional life of Catholics through her teaching and the visions she received has been great, especially since the Feast of the Sacred Heart was made general in 1856. Margaret Mary was canonised by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 and her feast day is 16th October.”

“We make our prayer to Jesus in whom we find rest for our souls and who is meek and humble of heart; Jesus, your heart was pierced by the lance and from it flowed blood and water so that your bride, the Church, might be born. You were condemned by men and raised up by the Father: make the Church the tabernacle of the most high. King and centre of all hearts, in your loving mercy, you never cease to draw us to yourself:”

“The prayer of the Church venerates and honours the heart of Jesus just as it invokes His Most Holy Name. It adores the Incarnate Word and His Heart which, out of love for men, He allowed to be pierced for our sins. Only the Heart of Christ who knows the depths of His Father’s love could reveal to us the abyss of His mercy in the beautiful parable of the Prodigal Son. (2669; 1437)”

“Remember that Our Lord Jesus Christ is your true Head and you are one of His members. He is to you as the head is to members of the body; all that is His is yours. His spirit, heart, body, soul, all His faculties, all is to be used by you as if they were your own, so that serving Him you may praise Him. For your part, you are to Him as a member to the head, and He earnestly desires to use all your faculties as if they were His own for the service and glorification of His Father…”

This is an amazing little volume. I have read a few other volumes about the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but this volume is a wonderful mix of history, teaching, and prayers. There are prayers spattered throughout, not just the chapter on Daily Prayers. I added a few of the prayers to my daily prayer list, and already had a couple or variations on them there. The quotes above give you a feel for some of the teachings and history contained in this volume.

It is hard to fathom this booklet has been in print for just over 100 years, it is as relevant today as it was when first published, maybe even more so because of the times we live in. Unfortunately it is currently only available as an eBook, for I know some people who would love a physical copy of this volume. It is an excellent read. I can easily recommend this volume it would be a great addition to any school, home, or church. It is another excellent prayer booklet from the CTS.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

For reviews of other books in the CTS Prayers & Devotions series click here.

Books about the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

Sacred Heart Prayers and Devotions - Donal Anthony Foley - CTS Devotions

Sacred Heart A Pilgrim's Companion to Paray-le-Monial - David Baldwin - CTS Christian Shrines Series

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque And the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Emily Beata Marsh and Dani Lachuk - Encounter the Saints Series Book 37

A Little Book of Litanies - Amette Ley - CTS Devotions

First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained - Catholic Truth Society - CTS Devotions

Words for Feasts and Saints Days - Hugh Gilbert - CTS Books

Dilexit Nos - Pope Francis – CTS Books

Dilexit Nos - Pope Francis – Opus Dei

Devotion and Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - J. B. Midgley - CTS Devotions

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