In this revised, updated edition of Heart of the Redeemer, Timothy O'Donnell synthesizes years of research to provide a thorough presentation of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He examines the doctrinal roots of the devotion in Scripture and in documents from the Apostolic and Patristic Ages; charts its growth and development through the Middle Ages; explains the enormous contribution of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque; and presents magisterial teaching on the subject, including statements from Vatican Council II, recent popes, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The book also includes images illustrating the development of the devotion.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a response to the tremendous love of Christ as symbolized by his human heart pierced on Calvary. At the core of Catholic spiritual life, the devotion is a key to effective renewal of the Church and the world. Those who have not yet embraced this devotion—or who want to understand it more deeply and practice it more fully--will discover its profound richness and beauty in Heart of the Redeemer.

"Certainly the finest and most enjoyable historical and theological examination of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus."
—Marcus Grodi, EWTN host, The Journey Home; Author, Life from Our Land

"It’s a rare joy to find such a book, already a classic, reappear as if brand new. Heart of the Redeemer, since it first appeared, has been the last and best word on its subject. And now we have it updated with new research and new material from recent popes and the Catechism. Everything divine was humanly lived in the heart of Jesus. Devotion to Jesus’ Sacred Heart is a wellspring of both charity and profound theology." 
—Dr. Scott Hahn, Author, Rome Sweet Home

 “The genius of the Catholic faith is its universal appeal.  It feeds both the heart and the mind; it depends equally on piety before God and reason in facing the conditions of the world.  Heart of the Redeemer, first published 25 years ago and now re-issued, fuses both piety and careful scholarship in exploring one of the treasures of Catholic spiritual life – devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The book is filled with beautiful insight, beautifully done.” 
— Most. Reverend Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia

 "Heart of the Redeemer is a comprehensive and profound study not only of the origins and theology of devotion to the Sacred Heart, but of its contemporary importance as well. For all the good that it will do to foster a love for Christ, which is personal and social, I warmly welcome Heart of the Redeemer, recommending it to clergy and laity alike." 
— Cardinal John O'Connor, From the Preface

"Heart of the Redeemer is an indispensable source book on the history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I say `indispensable' because it is the only book of its kind. It is not too much to call it a treasury of Catholic wisdom on the Sacred Heart." 
— Fr. John Hardon, S.J., Author, The Catholic Catechism