The First Heartbeat

Have you ever been “stalked by a saint”? Those moments when a particular saint keeps showing up — their name, their image — until you start wondering if Heaven is trying to get your attention?

After a lot of arguing and making excuses, I finally surrendered everything to the Lord. My carefully crafted plans went out the window, and soon I found myself moving to Ohio to study Theology and Psychology at Franciscan University.

In the months leading up to that move, I started seeing the Sacred Heart of Jesus everywhere. I know what you’re thinking: “Mari, that’s a common image.” True — but this felt different. It was as if that Heart was following me in very personal, unmistakable ways.

It began small: glimpses on cars, church walls, prayer cards. Then, during my first visit to Franciscan, the theme of the entire event was the Sacred Heart. Artwork of it filled every corner. Later, after I had become a student, I went to the chapel to pray and found a wooden rosary. Every “Our Father” bead was engraved with the Sacred Heart — and on the centerpiece was an image of a saint holding that Heart. I later learned it was St. John Eudes, one of the first to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart.

When I showed the rosary to a friend, she gasped. She told me she had been praying, feeling called to pass that rosary on to whoever the Lord wanted to receive it — and apparently, that person was me. Between that and a powerful moment during Adoration when I perceived the image of the Sacred Heart in prayer, I knew I needed to learn more. That search led me to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the visionary to whom Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart.

The Saint Who Showed Us the Heart of Jesus

Margaret Mary was born in 1647 in Burgundy, France. She lost her father at a young age and endured mistreatment from her relatives. She also suffered a severe illness that left her bedridden for four years. Her physical suffering drew her closer to the Lord — something I personally relate to, as I’ve faced my own health challenges since childhood.

Eventually, she entered the Visitation Sisters in Paray-le-Monial, France founded by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Her time there wasn’t easy. Misunderstood and tested, she endured many trials that purified her soul and drew her deeper into the Heart of Christ. She often spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament, where, as she later wrote, Jesus was “teaching [her] the secrets of His loving Heart.”

Then, in December 1673, Jesus appeared to her. His Heart was surrounded by flames of love and encircled by a crown of thorns. He said:

“My Divine Heart is so passionate in love for men that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its burning charity. It must pour them out through you.”

This was the first of four apparitions.

But her revelations weren’t immediately believed. St. Margaret Mary was mocked, ridiculed, and even rejected by her own sisters in the convent — until a Jesuit priest, St. Claude de la Colombière, became her spiritual director. Through prayer and discernment, he recognized her experiences as genuine. He helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart, including the Nine First Fridays, Holy Hours of reparation, and the Twelve Promises revealed to St. Margaret Mary given to those who honor and spread devotion to His Sacred Heart.

Why the Sacred Heart Captures Me

I love this devotion because it’s raw and vulnerable. The Sacred Heart isn’t a sentimental symbol — it’s the literal, burning, wounded Heart of Jesus. A human heart, crowned with thorns, pierced by the cross, and aflame with divine love.

Love isn’t just a warm feeling. It’s sacrifice. It’s the laying down of one’s life for the beloved. It’s vulnerability — and Jesus shows us what that looks like perfectly.

In my hardest moments, I’ve found rest and comfort only in His Heart, most especially in the Eucharist where we are in the presence of and are able to receive HIs very Heart.

In His Heart Ministries

“In His Heart Ministries” has been on my heart for years. It’s simple: I want people to know they are loved, not alone, and that God has more in store for them. He longs to heal our minds and hearts, to free us from fear, and to draw us into His burning love.

As a proud hispanic, I’ve noticed that there’s a great need for more Catholic resources in Spanish. That’s why In His Heart Ministries / En Su Corazón is dedicated to offering bilingual resources and opportunities to serve the Hispanic community — inviting everyone to know more and dive into the Heart of Christ.

I don’t know exactly where the Lord will take this ministry, but I do know one thing: Our hearts belong in His. He desires to consume us in His love — completely, joyfully, mercifully.

He is with you. He sees you. And He is madly in love with you.