Association Of Catholic Bloggers

As a new contributor to this blog site, I am humbled to be able to join so many other wonderful writers that contribute to spreading the Love of Jesus and our wonderful Catholic faith. My background: My name is Laura Durant, and I live near Austin, Texas, with my wonderful husband, John. I grew up in the faith, and met my husband as he was converting to Catholicism (what a joy that was!). I am also a member of the Austin Community of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. I have developed over time a strong love and tenderness for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. It started first with my relationship with Mary, who as she so easily and surely does, lead me straight into the loving flames of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Healing Heart of Jesus ( www.healingheartofjesus.com ) The blog I felt called to create is all about the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and focuses on the transformation of my heart and the transformation Jesus wants to do in each of our hearts - ...

The month of June is traditionally devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus , with the feast of the Sacred Heart celebrated at the end of the Octave of Corpus Christi, 19 days after Pentecost. I have childhood memories of the various images of the Sacred Heart which adorned many friends and family member's homes in the Italian - immigrant neighborhood in which I grew up. It wasn't till I was an adult that I became interested in the history of the devotion, and eventually, we had our home enthroned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I am by no means an expert on the devotion to the Sacred Heart, so writing this post has been both a reflection of things I have already done to grow in this devotion and a list of things I hope to do. Click here to read more....

The following is a re-post from February—with a few new edits to now reflect the change in month to June , the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart ! First, a little riddle: What am I? …I’ve been considered the center, while holding many seats. I reveal your emotions & intellect, both the physical & the spiritual. Yet you might swear with me. And some will cross me… But I could melt, or become hardened. Sometimes real, sometimes not… Restless when wrong. Cured when open. I’ll sing for you, but best at keeping beat. In need of silence to hear well. Heavy or broken at times. Despised, pierced, forgotten. Still, without me there is no life; yet humble I am… What am I to you?    Yes. The one & only heart!  And although February is often considered the month of the heart within the secular and healthcare worlds ["American Heart Month"], there really is a much bigger and broader picture in need of seeing.  But initially, this is...