The Sacred Heart in Margaret’s Kitchen
A Family Story
My Irish grandmother’s Christian name was Margaret Mary. As one might expect, a framed picture of the Sacred Heart figured prominently in her kitchen. She, like so many Irish Catholics of her generation had an unshakeable faith in the promises of the Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. In my “Treasury of the Sacred Heart” published in Dublin by Charles Eason, Middle Abbey Street, in 1860, I read the promise in which my grandmother invested her hope: “I shall bless the houses where the representation of my Sacred Heart shall be exposed.”
Precious Inheritance
Shortly before her death at the age of 93, Grandma asked me if I wanted anything belonging to her. “Only your picture of the Sacred Heart,” I said. She had me write my name on the back of it. The day after she died I took the picture to be reframed; it was placed on her coffin in church. After the funeral, I took the picture home and it stayed with me for about a year.
Give It Away
Some time later, on the eve of my cousin Patrick’s wedding, my grandmother came to me in a dream and said, “I want you to give my picture of the Sacred Heart to Patrick as a wedding present.” And so, I wrapped it carefully and presented Patrick and Cheryl with it on their wedding day. Patrick took one look at the wrapped package and said, “I know what it is. It’s Grandma’s picture of the Sacred Heart.”
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Dear Fr Prior,
The coincidences keep coming.
For over forty years, in the foyer of whatever house my parents have lived in has hung a large and famous painting of St Margaret Mary adoring the Sacred Heart that belonged to my Episcopalian great-grandmother.
My parents long ago asked my brothers and I which pieces of furniture we’d like when the inevitable day comes. I named the painting. My name is written on the back.
~ Br Melchesidech