Irmã Maria do Divino Coração

: elo de ligação entre a precedente história da devoção ao Coração de Jesus e os novos modos de espiritualidadede se viver nesse Coração

Abstract

This study begins by looking at the almost bimillennial history of the human perception of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, referring us, in this process, especially to a given historical period – from the 16th to the 19th century – some figures – Marguerite-Marie Alacoque and Mary of the Divine Heart – and some religious congregations – Jesuits, Dehonians, and, among others, the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After this historical survey – which will deal with the main occasions in which the Sacred Heart was decisive for the faith of believers and for the proliferation of the Church – the focus of this work will be on Maria Droste, a young German woman who dedicated her life to others, particularly in the Congregation she embraced as Maria of the Divine Heart, always having the Divine Heart of Jesus as the beginning and goal of all her actions, and even
achieving the pontifical consecration of the World to the said Heart. We will see the work she accomplished and how it had an impact on the development of this spirituality around the Heart of Jesus. Finally, it will be shown how this Sister pointed, almost prophetically, to some aspects that, being evoked by the recent Popes and treated by contemporary theologians, attempt to revitalize love for this Heart for the spiritual and ecclesial benefit of the faithful.

Date of Award	26 Jul 2023
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Alexandre Freire Duarte (Supervisor)