New Book: The Living Image: Returning to the Heart by Anna Burke

           ‘In contemplating the heart of Jesus, we encounter not just a symbol 

          but a relationship, one that calls us to trust, dialogue, and friendship.’ 

                                                                                                                                    Dilexit Nos 51

Dilexit Nos, the 2024 Encyclical from Pope Francis, offers an inspiring reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and how this familiar image helps us reflect on how human love and divine love live as one in the person of Jesus Christ. In the heart of Jesus, he wrote, we find the core of reality. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus connects time and eternity, human and divine, yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

Anna Burke calls us back to the Sacred Heart for a deeper look. The Sacred Heart, she writes, is the Living Image: both human and limited and yet cosmic and divine. In fifteen reflections on the many aspects of the heart – cosmic, authentic, courageous, forgiving, renewing – she encourages us to return and find what is new in every century, old in every history book and universal in every language: the love of God. 

With suggested scripture readings, complementary reference to Dilexit Nos and points for reflection, The Living Image is the perfect guide to reconnecting with the Sacred Heart. Through the Sacred Heart, we can ground our life in what Pope Francis has called ‘the unifying principle of all reality’. 

About the author
Anna Burke is an Irish Sister of Mercy. Her work in the areas of teaching, faith development, Scripture reflection, school chaplaincy and spiritual writing has brought her to Florida, USA,  Zambia, South Africa and Ireland. She has written widely and published several books on spiritual reflection.

For further information and to request  interviews and review copies, please contact  

Carolanne Henry, Messenger Publications at  c.henry@messenger.ie
or on +353 87 637 6067
Paperback, 104 pages, 9781788127639, €9.95/£8.95, published 10 March 2026

Messenger Publications
Milltown Park
Dublin D06 W9Y7


IRELAND
T: +353 1 6767 491
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www.messenger.ie

Copies available https://www.messenger.ie/product/the-living-image-returning-to-the-heart/

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