Enthronement to the Sacred Heart and The Twelve Days of Christmas focusing on the 12 Promises
For the 12 days following Christmas, focus on the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart in union with the 12 Days of Christmas, the 12 days between the two major Christmas feast days: the Nativity of the Lord (12/25) and Epiphany (1/6). Each day we recommend that you reflect on these Promises listed below. If you would like to go a little deeper, you can get a copy of Emily Jaminet’s latest book, Secrets of the Sacred Heart, which has reflections, prompts, and prayer to help guide your own personal/ family mini-Christmas retreat. Consider praying the daily Rosary or pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart to help you grow closer to the Heart of Christ linked below.
Presented below are the 12 promises of the Sacred Heart and a reflection for you to consider on each of these days.
December 26
Promise #1: “I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life”.
Reflection: In practicing devotion to the Sacred Heart, we should constantly be seeking new graces through Jesus’ Holy Heart, the fount of all love. Jesus is offering us graces for our state in life – today.
December 27
Promise #2: “I will establish peace in their homes”.
Reflection: Peace is one of the heavenly gifts we seek the most, yet often we do not find it. Jesus wants to exchange our restless, broken heart for His heart that is full of peace. As He says “My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives peace. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”. (Jn 14:27)
December 28
Promise #3: “I will comfort them in all their afflictions”.
Reflection: All afflictions in life, great or small, should be understood in relation to the Cross. Even though He was battered and beaten physically, emotionally, and spiritually, He entrusted His whole being to the Father. Jesus embraced this agony so that we could be saved, and turn to Him when we need true comfort. St. Margaret Mary stated that “Jesus never promised that He would remove all crosses and trials, but that He would give us special graces to bear them.”
December 29
Promise #4: “I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death”.
Reflection: Jesus is our reason for joy and our shelter in times of trouble. He desires to give us hope for the kingdom of God and eternal life. He will never abandon us, especially at the crucial moment when we pass from this life to the next. All He asks of us is to open the door and let Him in (Rev 3:20).
December 30
Promise #5: “I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings”.
Reflection: The promise of blessings in all of our undertakings is not a guarantee that everything will go as planned and expected. It is not a worldly promise of wealth, power, or recognition. It is a promise that God, Creator of the universe, will order things for our good when we follow His precepts, and ultimately order things that will bring us to eternal life with Him (Rms 8:28).
December 31
Promise #6: “Sinners will find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy”.
Reflection: Jesus desires to set us free from our past and present sins. When we ask for God’s merciful love, we become the Prodigal Son or Daughter who can be healed and restored. May we allow the Sacred Heart to heal us so that we can go forth and love others, and be vessels of mercy.
January 1
Promise #7: “Lukewarm souls shall become fervent”.
Reflection: It is a burden to be lukewarm and distant from God. Yet, regardless of our current state, Jesus tells us to “Come to Me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and gentle of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Mt 11:28-30). When we draw close to the Sacred Heart, we experience the love of God that can transform our lukewarm souls into fervent souls.
January 2
Promise #8: “Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection”.
Reflection: High perfection is not achieved through scrupulosity, or a rigid morality that seeks to obtain a perfection that is impossible. One saint who battled tremendously with his own scruples, St. Alphonsus Liguori, advised “To advance in the way of holiness, it is necessary above all else to concentrate on loving God. God’s infinite majesty certainly deserves all of our reverence and submission, but He prefers to receive from souls their love and confidence, rather than fear and servility.”
January 3
Promise #9: “I will bless every place in which an image of my heart is exposed and honored”.
Reflection: This promise is the basis of the ceremony to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our home. This is one way we can proclaim the gospel and the reign of the King of Love, Jesus Christ. Enthronement opens the door for Christ to change us, and through us, others as well. As Father Mateo Crawley-Boevey stated, founder of the Sacred Heart Enthronement movement, “The action of Enthroning the Sacred Heart has an impact on families and individuals that carries over to society, and becomes the basis for spreading the Social Reign of our King and Savior”.
January 4
Promise #10: “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts”.
Reflection: This promise appears to be reserved for priests, yet it is for the laity as well, particularly when we go to the sacrament of confession. The Lord is promising that He will guide our priests as they minister to us, and that priests devoted to the Sacred Heart will receive special graces to be fruitful in their calling. For those whose hearts have been touched, God says “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (Ez 36:26).
January 5
Promise #11: “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my heart.”
Reflection: This promise expresses God’s desire to reward those who are willing to be a light to the world. When we set our light on a lampstand so that others may see our true faith and glorify God (Mt 5:15-16), then we will hear the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come share your Master’s joy” (Mt 25:23).
January 6 Epiphany
Promise #12: “My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in the last moments”.
Reflection: Jesus stated to St. Margaret Mary “I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance. They shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment”. This unique promise is an invitation from our Lord to more frequently attend Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life (CCC 1324).
Consider Praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart along with Pondering these Reflections.
Hello.
I had a question. I was doing the first Friday devotions and was on the last/ninth Friday when the Pandemic hit and all was shutdown on that first Friday last April. I still did a spiritual Communion that Friday but am worried that I did not obtain the promises of this devotion. I help caregive and live with my 88 year old mom so I have been live-streaming Mass since and going to monthly confession now when I ask for the Eucharist. Should I try to begin the first Fridays again from the beginning somehow now to obtain this promise? Thank you
Serena, I believe
God will honor your desire to complete this devotion as you did. God knows the circumstances and what you we’re trying to do ( by no fault of your own)
It is still a good and honorable devotion to continue if you are able.
Sorry this response is so late.