The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus started in 1672 when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had visions of Jesus teaching her about the depths of his Love for us all. During these visits he revealed to her twelve promises he would bestow on those who venerate and honor His Heart.

1. “I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.”
2. “I will establish peace in their homes.”
3. “I will comfort them in all their afflictions.”
4. “I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.”
5. “I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.”
6. “Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.”
7. “Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.”
8. “Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.”
9. “I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.”
10. “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.”
11. “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my heart.”
12. “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.”

 
A woman, Martha; I met several years ago had a huge devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was a single mom of five children and she dedicated all her children to the Sacred Heart. She had a priest come and consecrate her home, her family, and herself to the Sacred Heart. She trusted that her children would make it to heaven. One by one, all children left the Church and lived sinful and unholy lives – but she still trusted in Jesus.  Then, later, her eldest Son; with his wife and their two young children where in a very serious car accident; a semi-truck rammed them from the back. All four were in critical condition when Martha showed up. She cried and asked Jesus to give her strength. She begged him to make sure that her Son was ready if he would take him – that all of them be ready. She was afraid that her son would die in the state of mortal sin. When she looked up from her prayer she caught sight of a Franciscan Priest talking to the nurse. She jumped up and almost ran to him and begged him to give the last sacraments to his son and his family. While speaking to the priest, Martha’s other children also came in. And together, one by one her son and his family were anointed by this Franciscan Priest. Martha felt great peace knowing her son now had a chance no matter what would happen. Her son and his family survived the car accident – a surprise to the doctors. But for Martha and her children they saw it as a second chance to change things around. Her children, starting with the eldest came back to the Church and dedicated their homes as well to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
 
Here is one of my favorite prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
Jesus; show me your heart, and let me find my own heart in it. You have given me the love of your life as a source of uncounted possibilities of love. You have enkindled in me the fire of your own love, and you cease not to create loving, human hearts.  In the light of your love, let me see what the love of my neighbor demands of me.  Create in me the conviction that I am able, with your help, to live up to it, and let me spread it ever more widely in the world.  Cure my laxity and sloth so that I may make great efforts towards total dedication.  Let me endeavor to out-do myself in helping my neighbor.  Make the possible the seemingly impossible, and grant me through your love the strength to fulfill it all.