The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a symbol of Mary’s love for Jesus. This symbol reminds us both of Mary’s joy and the pain she endured as the Mother of God. It reminds us of Mary’s complete surrender to the will of God in her life, without regard to any cost to herself.
This devotion can be found as far back as the 1600s, but became more prominent after the revelations of Our Lady of Fatima.
Heart: Just as in the Sacred Heart, the heart of Mary is used to symbolize love. For Mary, this was specifically the love of a mother for her child. This love also extends to all children of God.
Fire: Just as Jesus's Sacred Heart heart is on fire, so is Mary’s. Mary’s heart contains so much love both for her son Jesus and for all of mankind that this love escapes from her heart like flames.
Sword: The sword (or swords) represent the pain Mary endured in watching her son suffer and die. This sword was also prophesized in the Gospel of Luke.
White Roses or Lilies: The white flowers represent the purity of Mary. In the Immaculate Conception, Mary was conceived without original sin. Her heart is completely pure and free from any sin with would pull her away from God.
Our Lady of Fatima shared a specific devotion to her Immaculate Heart. She promised to come to the aid of anyone who practiced this devotion at the hour of their death. There are five parts of this devotion which must be done on the first Saturday of five months in a row: