The Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: What Is It and Why Is It Important for our Spiritual Journey?

The Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

On this day the Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady.

So, with this feast day’s name, one could rightfully ask, what does it mean to celebrate a heart? Further, what does it mean to have a Devotion to the Immaculate Heart? For many, when we hear the word heart, we fall into the trap of thinking about a Hallmark moment. Many equate the heart as sentimental . . . about feelings; and specifically, good feelings. That is not at all of what Devotion to the Immaculate Heart is . . . because it is not as trivial as sentimental feelings.

The key to understanding this Devotion first requires an understanding as to what the word means. Devotion is not about feelings. Devotion means . . . being committed to another. Not a feeling . . . but a belonging. Hear more within the Homily.

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary begins with appreciating the dignity of Our Lady. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart is relatively recent . . . it’s just less than 400 hundred years old. St. John Eudes, in France, took this Devotion and made it available to the broader community. The Devotion was known by religious and other saints, but he made it available to the broader community in the 1600s.

Listen to a 350+ year old prayer from St. John Eudes on the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We encourage you to listen to this prayer and Meditate on it.

Hear more about the Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in this Homily. Listen to this Meditation Media.