Sacred Wounds: An Encounter with Jesus on the Holy Ground of Suffering

by Catherine Mulhern, Cristina Conway

What do you imagine when you picture the landscape of your heart?

Some might see a field of wildflowers, a majestic mountain range, or a river rushing with life. But after seven and a half years of chronic illness, all I could see in every direction was a parched and hopeless valley. A desolate land incapable of life.

Like the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37, my own heart was filled to the brim with bones of pain, anger, confusion, hurt, and doubt. How vast and dry they were! But believing that the Lord could only love me if I were joyful and happy, I’d shoved them down into this single, contained valley for years.

So when Jesus invited me to walk among these burdened hills of my heart with Him, I was terrified. What will He do when He sees these hidden parts of me – when He really knows me?

But as He removed His sandals, preparing to step onto the holy ground of my suffering, I knew that I didn’t have to be afraid. I knew Jesus wasn’t here to condemn me, but rather to unburden me and to re-sow the landscape of my heart.

This book is a series of conversations I had with Jesus in my valley of dry bones. Hand in hand, I walked among the depths of my wounds with Love Himself, and I soon discovered that this was the most gracious invitation I would ever receive.

* "Sacred Wounds" contains some adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2023

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin on how amazing this book is! The reader can feel Catherine’s pain AND joy in every word as she opens her heart to share her most vulnerable interactions with Jesus. These characters’ stories are raw and real and Catherine did an outstanding job capturing the heart of Jesus through each one. This is definitely a book I will be reading over and over again because every word spoke to me in extraordinary ways!

[Sam Montang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond what I could have imagined this book to be. I often try to think so deeply of the person of Jesus and His miracles, but to put flesh on the stories of people He healed and encountered is unreal. Catherine and Cristina nailed the emotions behind suffering and the encounters with Jesus. I will definitely be rereading this many more times. It’s a great book to just sit and reflect on small details and the big picture. It was definitely written through countless hours of dialogue with the Lord.

[Snabbley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book! I felt compelled to read it during this Lenten season and I am so glad that I did, even though I cried the entire time I was reading it :)! It is beautifully written and really emphasizes that Christ suffered and died for us, a sacrifice made possible only through His infinite Love and Mercy! Christ wants to meet us in our suffering and turn it into glory and redemption, if only we accept His Call to do so!

[Haley Lindh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine’s writing is truly incredible. There is no doubt that God called and enabled her to write this book. After a season of grief and sadness, God was able to use Sacred Wounds to bring healing. What a beautiful reminder that God is with us in the hard times and He is redeeming it in the way only He can! Cannot recommend this book enough!!