Book Review: Sacred Fire: Practicing Devotion to the Heart of Jesus

I was recently given the opportunity to read and review Sacred Fire: Practicing Devotion to the Heart of Jesus by Philip Michael Bulman. To begin, the synopsis of the book states:

On the night before He died, Jesus called His disciples to abide in Him. This startling invitation to an intimate relationship with God is a great gift to all generations. The devotion to the Sacred Heart gives Catholics a practical way to respond to this invitation. Each of us can experience the love of Jesus in a way that transforms our own hearts.

Sacred Fire illuminates the rich scriptural roots of the Sacred Heart devotion and recounts how it has evolved through the centuries. More importantly, it provides steps anyone can take to experience the infinite blessings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Embracing the Sacred Heart devotion brings the believer into a dynamic, personal relationship with Jesus. Lukewarm souls become fervent, and fervent souls enjoy ever greater blessings of Divine Mercy that begin in this life and last for all eternity.

Mr. Bulman has composed a truly beautiful book for the honor of God and devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of our Redeemer.  The book is written in a way that makes the pages go by with interest.  The book is a truly spiritual one - I found myself drawn repeatedly to prayer while reading of the saints who labored so long for the Devotion of the Sacred Heart.

Each chapter beings with several lines of Scripture which are well worth of meditation.  The actual text of the book delves into the various apparitions of our Lord and the writings of the saints (e.g. Gertrude the Great, Margaret Mary, John Eudes, and many others).  This is truly a unique book that brings together so many sources of writings and accounts into one complete volume documenting the spread of Devotion to the Sacred Heart.  Mr. Bulman shows in great detail how devotion to the Sacred Heart stretches back centuries before St. Margaret Mary's visions and how it is well rooted in Scripture.  Saints who I am not even familiar with were included to create a single, complete volume on devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Sacred Fire is written in a manner that is easy to read for all Catholics.  You do not have to have a Theology degree or be an expert in doctrine to read and understand and, most importantly, learn from this book.  Mr. Bulman's book is truly for everyone.  I am happy to recommend it.