Faith & Religion Hub

In the 350th Anniversary Year of the Apparitions of the Sacred Heart to St Margaret-Mary Alacoque and to coincide with Pope Francis' Encyclical, Dilexit nos, this new book (written by an Anglican for all people) sets out, in nine chapters, to shed light on the fount of that love which is the essence of God and which creation is to reflect. 

'This is a book for all who wish to understand the spirituality of the Sacred Heart or have sought to understand the true place of our own hearts in Christian discipleship and ministry. No-one will come away from this volume without learning something new about Christian Faith, and with a challenge and inspiration to deepen their own faith and their response of their heart to God’s love in Christ.' 

(+Gregory Llanelwy, Bishop of St Asaph)

The heart offers a world-wide image which speaks to all but the book also looks at how it can be easily corrupted and how we can address that.  

'John-Francis Friendship has gathered together the wisdom of scripture and the saints, from the first centuries of Christianity to the present day, in order to show us the Sacred Heart of Christ which beats with love for every person, and is mystically present throughout creation. This eternal, tender, merciful divine love is expressed with great clarity and articulated with great gentleness. Anglicans, and Christians of all denominations, will find theological and liturgical insights to cherish within this fresh and vibrant book.’                   

(The Rev. Dr Ayla Lepine SMMS, Associate Rector of St James, Piccadilly, London and author)

Chapters include:

- The Heart of Jesus as an image of God’s love;
- Mary’s heart – wonder and joy at the presence of the divine;
- The call of the heart – intimacy and vocation;
- Change of heart - what conversion means;
- Heartfelt – the spirituality of compassion;
- Lonely hearts – suffering and emptiness;
- The oratory of the heart – the place of prayer and encounter;
- The heart of the Eucharist – sacraments and spirituality;
- The Cosmic Heart – creation’s divinity. 

Each chapter concludes with reflective questions - ideal for group discussion- together with prayer practices and liturgical suggesitons.

'Heart of my own Heart' is a beautifully attentive reminder that God's name is Love, and that Jesus is God's love made manifest to us, and to our hearts. This book recapitulates the Christian life as one of honest pilgrimage, of seeking the Love which in Jesus sought and found us. '
(The Rev. Canon Jarel Robinson-Brown OblOSB)

The bookshop price is £14.99 but I can offer copies for £12.99 plus postage - with a discount for more than 3 copies - just contact me (jff2209(at)yahoo.com) with your address and the number of copies required. An invoice would be emailed with your purchase.