Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart

Barb Szyszkiewicz reviews a new book by Emily Jaminet that describes how to center your family's spirituality on Jesus through devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart: Ten Ways to Build Stronger, More Loving Relationships is a down-to-earth, concrete book that shows you 10 habits you can develop that will bring you closer to Jesus. Catholic Mom contributor Emily Jaminet once again has found a way to share her love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with today’s reader. This book is packed with do-able advice for building spiritual muscle while you build up your relationships.

The heart of Jesus needs to be rediscovered by our generation, honored in all our lives and within our families, and shared with all of society. The love of Christ is not only for "serious Catholics"; it is the single most transformative force to change the world and set it ablaze with renewal and life. (from the Introduction)

I remember that both of my grandmothers had portraits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in prominent places in their homes. I don't see very many homes today that have portraits like those—in fact, many homes I've visited don't show many signs of their occupants' faith at all. But devotion to the Sacred Heart is more than the placing of a portrait on the wall.

In Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart, Emily Jaminet suggests that there are ten virtues individuals and families can cultivate in order to build up their relationships. These include:

• docility
• faith
• fortitude
• hope
• charity
• meekness and humility
• forgiveness
• temperance and self-control
• joy and gratitude
• prudence

Each chapter of this book focuses on one of these virtues. Chapters begin with a brief overview of that virtue, a "Testimony from a Changed Heart" (anonymous testimonies related to the virtue), then further information about the virtue and how devotion to the Sacred Heart can help us build it in our lives and our family life. Toward the end of the chapter, there's a section called "Enter the School of the Sacred Heart" that gets more detailed with specific actions you and your family can take to build up your faith. After this, there's a prayer and reflection questions at the end of each chapter, which you can use for journaling or for group discussion. 

Now that summer is here, focusing on one chapter each week would be a wonderful way to work through this book!

Copyright 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: Canva
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