Laudate Mariam Blog

Many Catholics have seen the image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help countless times. It may be hanging in a parish church, placed on a family altar, tucked inside a prayer book, or printed on a small novena card. The image is so familiar that we may think we already know it by heart. But near the bottom of the icon is one small detail that many people miss: the Child Jesus’ sandal is slipping from His foot.

Once you notice it, you may never look at the icon the same way again. That loose sandal is not a random artistic detail. It tells a tender story about fear, trust, and a child running into the arms of his mother. It also helps us understand why Mary is called Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Many Catholics have heard of the Nine First Fridays devotion, but not everyone knows what it means, where it comes from, or why it is practiced for nine consecutive months. Some remember it from childhood, some have seen it mentioned in prayer books, and others have heard it connected to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the promises given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Still, the question remains: why nine? Is the number symbolic, is it a strict rule, or is it something deeper than a simple devotional count?

In many Catholic homes, especially here in the Philippines, it is common to see a holy image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus near an image of the Blessed Mother. Maybe there is a rosary hanging beside the family altar. Maybe there is a medal tucked inside a wallet, a small statue near the doorway, or a prayer card kept close during difficult days.

For some, this raises a simple question: Why do Catholics love both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

The answer is beautiful and simple.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are not competing devotions. Mary’s Heart does not lead us away from Jesus. Her maternal heart leads us more deeply into the love, mercy, and grace flowing from the Heart of Christ.

The Heart of Jesus is where mercy comes from. The Heart of Mary helps lead us there.

As we honor June as the Month of the Sacred Heart, this is a beautiful time to reflect on why the Church has long cherished the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary together in prayer, devotion, and love.

Before the fire fell, there was waiting. Before the sound of a mighty wind filled the house, there was silence, prayer, and expectation. The Apostles had seen the risen Lord and watched Him ascend into Heaven. Yet they still had to wait for the promise of the Father.

They were no longer standing beside the empty tomb in wonder. They were no longer simply rejoicing that Jesus had conquered death. Now they were gathered in the Upper Room, holding on to His promise. Something was coming, but they did not yet know how it would change them.

Many Catholics love the Blessed Virgin Mary deeply, yet still hesitate when they hear phrases like “total consecration.” It can sound overwhelming or even raise quiet concerns about whether such devotion might take attention away from Jesus. This hesitation is understandable, and it is one that even Pope John Paul II once experienced before encountering the writings of St. Louis de Montfort more fully. What he discovered, and what Marian consecration truly teaches, is that this devotion is not about Mary replacing Christ, but about belonging more completely to Him through her. As St. Louis de Montfort explains, “This devotion consists in giving oneself entirely to Mary in order to belong entirely to Jesus through her,” making it clear that the heart of consecration is entirely Christ-centered.

Before dawn breaks on Easter morning in the Philippines, there is a quiet stirring in parishes and streets. Veiled images are carried in procession, and candles flicker softly in the dim light. There is a lingering ache in the air, yet it is filled with expectation. When the moment finally comes and the veil is lifted, the Mother meets her risen Son. It is a simple gesture, yet one that never fails to move the heart.

There is a quiet question that lingers in many hearts after Easter. Christ is risen, the Church proclaims it with joy, and yet life does not suddenly feel light. Responsibilities remain, grief still visits, and the weight of daily struggles can feel unchanged. This tension does not mean your faith is lacking. It simply means you are human, standing in need of the very hope the Resurrection offers.

The Risen Jesus does not expect you to ignore your burdens. He steps into them, just as He entered the locked room where the disciples hid in fear. He meets you where you are, not where you think you should be. Easter is not an invitation to pretend everything is fine. It is an invitation to trust Him in the middle of what is not.

Many Catholics recognize the Divine Mercy image or have heard of the Chaplet, yet these beautiful devotions are often experienced as separate pieces rather than a unified gift. In reality, what Jesus revealed through St. Faustina is a single, deeply connected message centered on trust in His mercy.

In the early 20th century, the Polish nun St. Maria Faustina Kowalska received a series of revelations in which Jesus asked her to help spread this message to the whole world. These were not complicated theological instructions, but simple, profound invitations for souls to return to Him with trust.

At the heart of this devotion are four pillars. Each one expresses a different way of encountering Divine Mercy, yet all lead to the same place: a deeper trust in Jesus Christ, who is Mercy itself.