The very deep union of the Two Hearts

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was already important in the 12th century, to saints like Anthony of Padua, Bonaventure, and Clare of Assisi, and in the 17th century, to Berulle and St John Eudes, who also emphasized how closely the Hearts of Mary and Jesus are united. In the middle of the 17th century, we find depictions of Jesus pointing to his Heart through his chest opened by the lance. From 1673 to 1675, the apparitions of Christ to St Margaret Mary Alacoque brought a deeper focus to the pierced Heart of Christ and the depth of his love.

St John Eudes (1601-1680) wrote extensively about the mystery of the United Hearts, and after him St Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716) sang his praises most eloquently.

In our times, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Friday) is immediately followed by the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Saturday).

It is very interesting to note that on the reverse side of the Miraculous Medal (1830 Marian apparition of the Rue du Bac in Paris, France), the Two Hearts are depicted side by side: the Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns and the Heart of Mary pierced according to the prophecy of Simeon in Luke 2:35.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is also central to the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal (20th century), and continued to take an increasingly important place in the messages to the visionary Lucia, culminating in this prophecy from Our Lady: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."

Saint Jacinta of Fatima was aware of the union of those two Hearts, and famously said: "If only I could put into the hearts of all the people the fire which I have in my chest and which burns me and makes me love the Heart of Jesus and the Heart of Mary so much!"

Françoise Breynaert, French writer and theologian