Behold My Heart Which Has So Loved Men
@ 1992 Christ in the Home Apostolate, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

There's been a lot of dialogue back and forth between Catholics and Evangelicals over doctrinal issues that divide us, but little is said about the common practice of Catholicism which is the practical outworking of Romanism.

This book, Behold My Heart Which Has So Loved Men, was sent to me anonymously by a Catholic layperson I met at an anti-Fundamentalist lecture at a local parish in Philadelphia. The person wrote a note saying, "I was really moved by a discussion we had at my church recently and felt I had to send you this book. I feel I will have to answer to God if I fail to send this to you."

After reading the book, I now see why this was so important to him, knowing the mystical Catholic mind as I do. In the back of the book is a plea for the readers to send the book to "friends, neighbors, and relatives," as well as "editors and writers of religious papers and magazines." The claim is that if all would enthrone the sacred heart in their homes, God would grant a lasting peace to the world.

The book is the story of so-called conversations that a girl, Sister Faustina Kowalska, had with the Lord from 1950 to 1953. Most of her messages came into her mind while kneeling before the monstrance containing the "Host", or "Eucharist," in which Catholics believe that Jesus is physically present on the altar. This belief is the reason Catholics pray and genuflect toward the altars in their churches.

The doctrine of "Transubstantiation" sets up the "faithful" for the sort of mysticism into which this girl fell. The messages verified and elaborated on Catholic dogma such as the exaltation of Mary, the teaching on Purgatory and the need for indulgences to avoid suffering the pains and fire thereof.

The book has the seal of two Catholic bishops, one holding the title, Vican General. In the book's dedication the reader is instructed to have "a life-long devotion to The Sacred Heart along with enthroning into your heart a true love for the Immaculate Heart of His Most Holy Mother; and by so doing place yourself within Their Hearts so you cannot err or be led astray. For it was the shedding of Blood from the Two Hearts that gave to each and all of us the anointed strength to do the Holy Will of Thy Lord and God in Heaven."

This is typical of the Catholic Church to elevate Mary as an equal, if not superior, to Jesus, even in a book supposedly written about "His" sacred heart. The readers who follow the magical instructions of enthroning the hearts in their homes and receive communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months are promised that they will die in the state of grace, "even if he had lost it by mortal sin; even if he had gone astray and had led a sinful life." To a Catholic "the state of Grace" is something earned by good works and full duty to the Sacraments. The Catholic who puts faith in this promise is thereby released to live a sinful life because their superstition tells them they will not die without the opportunity to repent. This is obviously a false and sinister gospel.

It is interesting how this book exposes the average Catholic's attitude toward Jesus as being encased in a piece of bread, the Host. "My body, which is truly present in the tabernacle," the voice spoke to Sister Faustina," still suffers from the treatment that it receives. I suffer, indeed, the pain of being imprisoned and unable to move without the assistance of My creatures. I still suffer torment in My mind and will, in My body, and in My heart." He goes on to describe a typical day on the altar. "All day I am left here alone; except for a few visitors, the only company I have consists of those who sweep or clean this Church. I await, then, your visit, but when you come, you scarcely speak to Me, thinking only of yourself. Ah, will you not comfort Me - your Prisoner of Love?"

The diary of the girl's auditory visions is interspersed with stories of how another voice would come to her in the same way bringing filthy, even pornographic images. "But, dearest Jesus, sometimes the devil seems to interfere - he uses words that resemble Yours," she lamented. She would receive attacks while receiving Communion and also when she was alone of the most evil suggestions that were "so diabolical that they could have originated only in the mind of the devil." "Jesus" said that this was the way in which she could "share My humiliation. If you have been submerged in filth, remember that I, too, was so defiled that I was said not even to resemble a man, but rather a worm."

The book commits entire chapters on giving formulas for prayer and ritual that would eliminate time spent in Purgatory. Different types of scapulars and medals could be worn at all times for protection. Prayers, mostly addressed to Mary, could be recited on certain days of the week. Sacred images and relics offered even more magical, mystical favors from the divine protectors.

And yet this is typical of my Catholic upbringing. I was so filled with such superstitions growing up that I literally had to reject all I was ever taught about God before the Lord could reveal Himself to me in the Bible years later. This is why the Roman Mystery Religion easily merges with Pagan religions, such as Voodoo and Santeria, and can be so syncretistic with the other false world religions.