The Apostleship of Prayer has announced publication of a booklet to introduce young children to devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a centuries-old Catholic tradition.  The 28-page, full-color booklet is entitled Do You Know the Sacred Heart of Jesus? 

Fr. James Kubicki, SJ, national director of the Apostleship of Prayer, anticipates that the booklet will be popular among students and teachers of religious education.  "I don't know a simpler way to explain the meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus," he said.  "Kids are visual, perhaps now more than ever.  Starting with the familiar valentine heart, the booklet unpacks the symbolic significance of the image. The Heart of Christ is a wonderful way to tell the story of God's love, how Jesus loved us to death.  Knowing this love, our natural response is to offer ourselves in return - at Mass and in the Morning Offering."

Fr. Kubicki says the text of the book draws on his own experience talking to children of First Communion age about the Sacred Heart.  He found himself asking them questions, leading the children to discover for themselves the meaning the Sacred Heart. 

Illustrator Stacey Schmude talked about her approach to the project.  "As a young child, the image of Jesus crucified terrified me... and it still does.  I did not want my drawings to play on children's fears about blood, pain, and death.  I depict Jesus crowned with thorns and crucified, but I also show a warm and human Jesus that children can embrace as a friend."

Do You Know the Sacred Heart of Jesus?  is available exclusively from the Apostleship of Prayer national office in Milwaukee.  The suggested donation for the booklet is $2 each.  They are available in quantities for religious education.

For more information, please contact:

Apostleship of Prayer
3211 S. Lake Drive, Suite 216
Milwaukee, WI  53235
414-486-1152