While most people are familiar with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, few know of the Sacred Heart badge. Yet the badge begins with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’s visions of the Sacred Heart in France, then appears in a Marian apparition, and obtains papal approval.

Speaking of Jesus revealing his Sacred Heart, on July 2, 1674, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque said, “He promised to pour out into the hearts of all those who honor the image of His Heart all the gifts it contains in fullness, and for all those who would wear this image on their persons He promised to imprint His love on their hearts and to destroy all unruly inclinations.”

She and her novices made many badges with the Sacred Heart image and wore them.

It was worn under the bishop’s direction and credited with stopping the great plague in Marseilles in 1720.

In 1870, Blessed Pius IX approved the devotion and badge. He said, “I am going to bless this Heart and want all badges made after this model to receive the same blessing, so that in the future, it will not be necessary for the blessing to be renewed by a priest. And I want Satan to be unable to cause any harm to those who wear this Badge, symbol of the adorable Heart of Jesus.”

In 1876, heaven again called for the badge. Our Blessed Mother appeared in Pellevoisin, France, showing Estelle Faguette a scapular with the Sacred Heart of Jesus on one side and that of the Virgin Mary under the title of Mother of Mercy on the other. Mary said, “The treasures of my Son have been open for a long time. [...] I love this devotion.”

Mary also said, “Nothing will please me more than to see this livery [special insignia] on each of my children and that they will all apply themselves to repairing the outrages which my Son receives in the sacrament of his love. See the graces that I pour out on those who will wear it with confidence and who will help to propagate it.”

In 1900, Estelle presented Leo XIII with the scapular of the Sacred Heart, and days later, on April 4, the Sacred Congregation of Rites approved it.

Then a 2024 letter from the Holy See approving the Pellevoisin apparition said, “Mary’s great message is the invitation to turn to that loving Heart of the Lord.”

Heed heaven. Wear or carry the Sacred Heart badge.