Spirituality of the Sacred Heart
HEART OF MY OWN HEART - deepening life in Christ
In the 350th Anniversary Year of the Apparitions of the Sacred Heart to St Margaret-Mary Alacoque, coinciding with Pope Francis' Encyclical, Dilexit nos, this new spirituality book—written by an Anglican for all people—aims to illuminate the source of love that is the essence of God and which creation is meant to reflect.
'This is a book for all who wish to explore the spirituality of the Sacred Heart or have sought to understand the true role of our own hearts in Christian discipleship and ministry. Readers will come away from this volume enriched with new insights into Christian faith, as well as inspired to deepen their own faith and their heartfelt response to God's love in Christ.' (+Gregory Llanelwy, Bishop of St Asaph)
The heart serves as a universal image that resonates with everyone, yet the book also examines how this image can be easily corrupted and how we can work to address such challenges.
'John-Francis Friendship has brought together the wisdom of scripture and the saints, from the early centuries of Christianity to today, to reveal the Sacred Heart of Christ, which beats with love for every individual and is mystically present throughout creation. This eternal, tender, and merciful divine love is expressed with clarity and articulated gently. 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—along with prayer practices and liturgical suggestions.
'Heart of my own Heart' beautifully reminds us that God's name is Love, and that Jesus is God's love made manifest to us and to our hearts. This book recapitulates Christian discipleship as an authentic pilgrimage, seeking the Love that in Jesus has 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—there’s a discount for orders of more than 3 copies. Just contact me (jff2209(at)yahoo.com) with your address and the number of copies required. An invoice will be emailed with your purchase.