"We the Christians are
the true Israel which springs from Christ, for we are carved out of His
heart as from a rock." -- St. Justin Martyr (d. 165)
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." -- Matthew 11:29
"There is in the Sacred Heart the symbol and express image of the
infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return." --
Pope Leo XIII
The
heart has always been seen as the "center" or essence a person ("the
heart of the matter," "you are my heart," "take it to heart," etc.) and
the wellspring of our emotional lives and love ("you break my heart,"
"my heart sings," etc.) Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is
devotion to Jesus Christ Himself, but in the particular ways of
meditating on his interior life and on His threefold love -- His divine
love, His burning love that fed His human will, and His sensible love
that affects His interior life. Pope Pius XII of blessed memory writes
on this topic in his 1956 encyclical, Haurietis Aquas (On Devotion
To The Sacred Heart). Below are a few excerpts which help explain
the devotion:
54. ...the Heart of the
Incarnate Word is deservedly and rightly considered the chief sign and
symbol of that threefold love with which the divine Redeemer
unceasingly loves His eternal Father and all mankind.
55. It is a symbol of that divine love which He shares with the Father
and the Holy Spirit but which He, the Word made flesh, alone manifests
through a weak and perishable body, since "in Him dwells the fullness
of the Godhead bodily."
56. It is, besides, the symbol of that burning love which, infused into
His soul, enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs
its acts by the most perfect knowledge derived both from the beatific
vision and that which is directly infused.
57. And finally -- and this in a more natural and direct way -- it is
the symbol also of sensible love, since the body of Jesus Christ,
formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, possesses
full powers of feelings and perception, in fact, more so than any other
human body.
58. Since, therefore, Sacred Scripture and the official teaching of the
Catholic faith instruct us that all things find their complete harmony
and order in the most holy soul of Jesus Christ, and that He has
manifestly directed His threefold love for the securing of our
redemption, it unquestionably follows that we can contemplate and honor
the Heart of the divine Redeemer as a symbolic image of His love and a
witness of our redemption and, at the same time, as a sort of mystical
ladder by which we mount to the embrace of "God our Savior."
59. Hence His words, actions, commands, miracles, and especially those
works which manifest more clearly His love for us -- such as the divine
institution of the Eucharist, His most bitter sufferings and death, the
loving gift of His holy Mother to us, the founding of the Church for
us, and finally, the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and
upon us -- all these, We say, ought to be looked upon as proofs of His
threefold love.
60. Likewise we ought to meditate most lovingly on the beating of His
Sacred Heart by which He seemed, as it were, to measure the time of His
sojourn on earth until that final moment when, as the Evangelists
testify, "crying out with a loud voice 'It is finished.', and bowing
His Head, He yielded up the ghost."Then it was that His heart ceased to
beat and His sensible love was interrupted until the time when,
triumphing over death, He rose from the tomb.
61. But after His glorified body had been re-united to the soul of the
divine Redeemer, conqueror of death, His most Sacred Heart never
ceased, and never will cease, to beat with calm and imperturbable
pulsations. Likewise, it will never cease to symbolize the threefold
love with which He is bound to His heavenly Father and the entire human
race, of which He has every claim to be the mystical Head.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart has two elements: consecration
and reparation:
-
We consecrate ourselves to
the Sacred Heart by acknowledging Him as Creator and Redeemer and as
having full rights over us as King of Kings, by repenting, and by
resolving to serve Him.
-
We make reparations for the
indifference and ingratitude with which He is treated and for leaving
Him abandoned by humanity.
To carry out these general goals of consecration and
reparation, there are quite specific devotions authorized by the Church.
Specific Devotions
From
the earliest days of the Church, "Christ's open side and the mystery of
blood and water were meditated upon, and the Church was beheld issuing
from the side of Jesus, as Eve came forth from the side of Adam. It is
in the eleventh and twelfth centuries that we find the first
unmistakable indications of devotion to the Sacred Heart. Through the
wound in the side, the wounded Heart was gradually reached, and the wound in the Heart symbolized
the wound of love." (Catholic
Encyclopedia)
St. John Chrysostom (b. ca. 347) in his 85th Homily on the Gospel of
St. John wrote:
For "there came forth water and blood." Not without a
purpose, or by chance, did those founts come forth, but because by
means of these two together the Church consisteth. And the initiated
know it, being by water indeed regenerate, and nourished by the Blood
and the Flesh. Hence the Mysteries take their beginning; that when thou
approachest to that awful cup, thou mayest so approach, as drinking
from the very side.
The
waters of Baptism, and the Blood of the
Eucharist, pouring forth from Christ's side, brought the Church into
existence just as Eve was formed from Adam's side. And just as God took
man and "breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a
living soul," so at the Pentecost
did the Holy Ghost come down over the
Church and bring Her to life.
General devotion to the Sacred Heart -- the birthplace of the Church
and
the font of Love -- were popular in Benedictine and Cistercian
monasteries, especially in response to the devotion of SS. Mechtilde
(b. 1241)1
and Gertrude the
Great (b. 1256), but specific devotions became even more
popularized when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), a Visitation
nun, had a personal revelation involving a series of visions of Christ
as she prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. She wrote, "He disclosed to
me the marvels of his Love and the inexplicable secrets of his Sacred
Heart." Christ emphasized to her His love -- and His woundedness caused
by Man's indifference to this love.
He promised that, in response to those who consecrate themselves and
make reparations to His Sacred Heart:
- He
will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- He
will establish peace in their homes.
- He
will comfort them in all their afflictions.
- He
will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
- He
will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners
will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
- Lukewarm
souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent
souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- He
will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and
honored.
- He
will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those
who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His
Heart.
- In
the excessive mercy of His Heart that His all-powerful love will grant
to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine
consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die
in His disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. His divine
Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
The
devotions attached to these promises are:
- Receiving
Communion frequently
- First
Fridays: going to Confession (when
necessary) and
receiving the Eucharist on the first Friday of each month for nine
consecutive months. Many parishes will offer public First Friday
devotions; if they do, you must perform First Fridays publicly. If it
isn't so offered in your parish, you can do this privately, going to
Confession, receiving the Eucharist, and offering your prayers for the
intention of the Holy Father.
- Holy
Hour: Eucharistic Adoration
for one hour on Thursdays ("Could you not watch one hour with me?").
Holy Hour can be made alone or as part of a group with formal prayers.
- Celebrating
of the Feast of the Sacred Heart (see below)
Note
also that June is devoted to the Sacred Heart.
Feast of the Sacred Heart
The
Friday that follows a week after the Feast of Corpus Christi is
the Feast of the
Sacred Heart which brings to mind all the attributes of
His Divine Heart mentioned above. Many Catholics prepare for this Feast
by beginning a Novena to the Sacred Heart
on the Feast of Corpus
Christi. On the Feast of the Sacred Heart itself, we might pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart, and we can gain a
plenary indulgence by making an Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart.
Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
on the
Feast of Christ the King
On
the Feast of Christ the King,
celebrated on the last Sunday of October
(the Sunday before the Feast of All Saints) and initiated in 1925 by
Pius XI in his Encyclical Quas Primas,
there follows after the Mass a Consecration of the Human Race to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus. We kneel before the Sacrament and recite the
following consecration. Afterwards, there is a Litany
and Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament. In praying the Consecration, going to Confession, and receiving
the Eucharist on this day (when devoutly done), the faithful
receive a plenary indulgence.
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon
us humbly prostrate before Thine altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish
to be; but, to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us
freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart.
Many indeed have never known Thee; many too, despising Thy precepts,
have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and
draw them to Thy sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the
faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal
children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to
Thy Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom
discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and
unity of faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of
idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them into the light and
kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of the
race, once Thy chosen people: of old they called down upon themselves
the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of
redemption and of life.
Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from
harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound
from pole to pole with one cry: "Praise be to the divine Heart that
wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever." Amen. 1
Please
read about the Kingship of Christ and come to understand the concept's
absolute importance. Truly pray the Mass -- at all times, but
especially on this day. Pray the Consecration with your whole heart!
Enthronement of the Sacred Heart
Father
Mateo Crawley-Boevey, a South American priest of the Congregation of
the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, was inspired by God, after his
instantaneous cure at Paray-le-Monial, to preach everywhere the
Enthronement of the Sacred Heart to verify this promise of the Saviour
given to St. Margaret Mary: "I will bless every dwelling where an image
of My Heart is both exposed and honoured."
Enthronement of the Sacred Heart is a solemn act of a family giving
formal recognition of the kingship of Christ over their family and home
and the official, ceremonial beginning of a family's commitment to live
out the effects of their recognition of Christ's Kingship. During the
Enthronement ceremony, a blessed image of the Sacred Heart is hung in
the most prominent place in the house and Sacred Scripture is placed
before it. Formal prayers are prayed and then each member of the
household signs a certificate of the Covenant. Contact the National
Enthronement Center and ask them for a Certificate to sign for the
Enthronement (ask for an "Enthronement Kit"). The set of prayers they
may send will be the revised version of the ceremony; I recommend
following the outline of the ceremony below. You may download this in
pdf format.
National
Enthronement Center
73 Adams St,
Fairhaven, MA 02719
Tel. (508) 999-2680
Email: necenter@sscc.org
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Enthronement of the Sacred
Heart Ceremony
Preparation: It is good if
all can attend Mass that day and receive the Eucharist. If a priest
won't be present for the Enthronement Ceremony, an image of the Sacred
Heart will have already been blessed. The wall will have already been
prepared for hanging the image (if it's to be hung on the wall),
flowers and such should adorn the table or mantle under where the
picture will be placed/hung, the frame for the Certificate and the
Certificate itself should be ready, refreshements will already have
been prepared, Sacred Scripture will be handy, any candles used should
be lit, etc. If a priest will be attending the ceremony, it is good to
have him bless your home.
All are seated while the father explains what is about to happen. The
priest or natural father may begin with a short talk on the meaning and
importance of the Enthronement, and comment on various steps of the
ritual.
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V. Our help is in the Name
of the Lord. |
V. Adjutorium nostrum in
nomine Domini. |
R. Who made Heaven and earth. |
R. Qui fecit coelum et terram. |
V. The Lord be with you. |
V. Dominus vobiscum. |
R. And with your spirit. |
R. Et cum spiritu tuo. |
Let us pray. Almighty and
everlasting God, who dost approve the painting and sculpturing of the
images of Thy Saints, so that as often as we gaze upon them we are
reminded to imitate their deeds and sanctity; vouchsafe, we implore
Thee, to bless and sanctify this image made in honor and in memory of
the Most Sacred Heart of Thy only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ;
and grant, that whosoever in its presence, will suppliantly worrship
and honor the Most Sacred Heart of Thy only begotten Son, may obtain
through His merits and intercession grace in this life and everlasting
glory in the world to come. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Oremus. Omnipotens
sempiterne Deus, qui sanctorum tuorum imagines pingi non reprobas, ut
quoties illas oculis corporia intuemur, toties eorum actus et
sanctitatern ad imitandum memoriae oculis meditemur, hanc quaesumus,
imaginem in honorem et memoriam Sacratissimi Cordis Unigeniti Filii tui
Domini Nostri J esu Christi adaptatam bene + dicere et sancti + ficare
digneris; et praesta ut quicumque coram ilIa, Cor Sacratissimum
Unigeniti FilIi tui suppliciter colere et honorare studuerit, illius
meritis et obtentu a te gratiam in praesenti, et aeternam gloriam
obtineat in futurum. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
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The priest or natural
father now sprinkles the image with holy water. Then the father, or in
his absence, the mother or some other member of the family, enthrones
the image in the place of honor prepared for it. This is the symbolic
act of Enthronement. All stand.
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I believe in God, the
Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and in in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of
the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died
and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the
Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life
everlasting. Amen.
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Credo in Deum Patrem
omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium
eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto,
natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus,
et sepultus, descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis,
ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde
venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum,
sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem
peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.
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All sit and remain seated
while the priest or natural father addresses a few words to those
present, reminding the members of the family of what the Sacred Heart
expects from families which have acknowledged Him as King; recalling
the magnificent promises of the Sacred Heart; urging the family to live
its Enthronement and frequently to renew the act of consecration which
they are about to make.
Then all kneel, while the priest and the father [or father alone, or
his representative] recite the official Act of Consecration.
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O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
who didst make known to St. Margaret Mary Thine ardent desire to reign
over Christian families, behold us assembled here today to proclaim
Thine absolute dominion over our home.
Henceforth we purpose to lead a life like unto Thine, so that amongst
us may flourish the virtues for which Thou didst promise peace on
earth, and for this end * we will banish from our midst * the spirit of
the world which Thou dost abhor so much.
Thou wilt reign over our understanding by the simplicity of our faith.
Thou wilt reign over our hearts by an ardent love for Thee; and may the
flame of this love be kept burning in our hearts by the frequent
reception of the Holy Eucharist.
Deign, O Divine Heart, to preside over our meetings, to bless our
undertakings, both spiritual and temporal, to banish all worry and
care, to sanctify our joys and soothe our sorrows. If any of us should
ever have the misfortune to grieve Thy Sacred Heart, remind him of Thy
goodness and mercy toward the repentant sinner.
Lastly when the hour of separation will sound and death will plunge our
home into mourning, then shall we all and everyone of us be resigned to
Thy eternal decrees, and seek consolation in the thought that we shall
one day be reunited in Heaven, where we shall sing the praises and
blessings of Thy Sacred Heart * for all eternity.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph
offer Thee this our Consecration, and remind us of the same all the
days of our life.
Glory to the Divine Heart of Jesus, our King and our Father!
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Now all pray the one Pater,
one Ave, and one Glory Be:
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Our Father, Who art in
Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
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Pater noster, qui es in
caelis, sanctificetur Nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas
tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis
hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus
debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a
malo.
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Hail Mary, full of Grace,
the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and in the hour of our death. Amen.
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Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus
ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis
peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
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Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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Gloria Patri, et Filio, et
Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in
saecula saeculorum. Amen.
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Now all pray a prayer of
thanksgivng:
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Glory be to Thee, O Sacred
Heart of Jesus, for the infinite mercy Thou hast bestowed upon the
privileged members of this family. Thou hast chosen it from thousands
of others, as a recipient of Thy love and a sanctuary of reparation
wherein Thy most loving Heart shall find consolation for the
ingratitude of men.
How great, O Lord Jesus, is the confusion of this portion of Thy
faithful flock as we accept the unmerited honor of seeing Thee preside
over our family! Silently we adore Thee, overjoyed to see Thee sharing
under the same roof the toils, cares and joys of Thy children! It is
true, we are not worthy that Thou shouldst enter our humble abode, but
Thou hast already reassured us, when Thou didst reveal Thy Sacred Heart
to us, teaching us to find in the wound of Thy Sacred Side the source
of grace and life everlasting. In this loving and trusting spirit we
give ourselves to Thee, Thou who art unchanging Life.
Remain with us, Most Sacred Heart, for we feel an irresistible desire
to love Thee and make Thee loved. May our home be for Thee a haven as
sweet as that of Bethany, where Thou canst find rest in the midst of
loving friends, who like Mary have chosen the better part in the loving
intimacy of Thy Heart!
May this home be for Thee, O be. loved Savior, a humble but hospitable
refuge during the exile imposed on Thee by Thine enemies.
Come, then, Lord Jesus, come, for here as at Nazareth, we have a tender
love for the Virgin Mary, Thy sweet Mother whom Thou hast given us to
be our Mother. Come, to fill with Thy sweet presence the vacancies
which misfortune and death have wrought in our midst.
O most faithful Friend,
hadst Thou been here in the midst of sorrow, our tears would have been
less bitter; the comforting balm of peace would then have soothed these
hidden wounds, which are known to Thee alone.
Come, for even now perhaps, there is drawing near for us the twilight
of tribulation, and the decline of the passing days of our youth and
our illusions.
Stay with us, for already it is late, and a perverted world seeks to
envelop us in the darkness of its denials while we wish to adhere to
Thee who alone art the Way the Truth and the Life.
Repeat for us those words Thou didst utter of old: "This day I must
abide in this home.
Yes, dear Lord, take up Thy abode with us, so that we may live in Thy
love and in Thy presence, we who proclaim Thee as our King and wish no
other!
May Thy triumphant Heart, O Jesus, be forever loved, blessed, and
glorified in this home! Thy Kingdom Come! Amen!
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All stand and thank the
Immaculate Heart of Mary for the grace of the Enthronement, and to
proclaim this loving Mother as the Queen of the home, all recite the
Hail Holy Queen.
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Hail holy Queen, mother of
mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor
banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and
weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us
the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet
Virgin Mary. Amen.
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Salve, Regina, mater
misericordiae: vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus
exsules filii Hevae. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac
lacrimarum valle. Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes
oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis
post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.
Amen.
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Optional: If so desired, an
Act of Consecration to the Heart of Mary may be added,
and her image
installed near the Sacred Heart.
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Heavenly Mother Mary , I
come to thy most lovable and sweet Heart, refuge of sinners. I offer
myself to thee and consecrate my entire life to thine Immaculate Heart.
In this consecration of my total person, I offer thee my body and soul
with all its miseries and weaknesses. I offer thee my heart with all
its affections and desires, my prayers, works, joys and sufferings. I
offer thee every temptation that comes to me so that my every thought
and desire may be purified through thy holy intercession.
My Queen, my Mother, I offer thee in consecration all sufferings which
come into my life, both physical and spiritual. I offer thee especially
my death with all that will accompany it. I offer thee my last agony.
Accept all this, my Mother, and take all into thy Immaculate Heart as I
give to thee irrevocably all that I am and all that I have, together
with all property and possessions. I offer thee my family and all who
are near and dear to me. Take them all into thine Immaculate Heart and
keep us ever one in thy Son Jesus Christ.
I renew today the vows of my Baptism and Confirmation. Keep me ever
faithful to God and to Holy Church, and loyal in obedience to the Holy
Father, the Pope. I desire to pray the Rosary properly, meditating on
its mysteries. I desire to participate in the Sacrifice of thy Son
perpetuated at Holy Mass and receive Him frequently, even daily in Holy
Communion. I attach special importance to the first Saturday of the
month in reparation to thine Immaculate Heart and I will work for the
conversion of sinners. I will strive to live daily the spirit of
Eucharistic reparation.
O Queen of the Angels, my Queen and my Mother, I humbly prostrate
myself before thee as I approach thee with my Guardian Angel. I desire
all the holy Angels, and especially my Guardian, to venerate thee
always as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Command my Guardian and all holy
Angels to keep me always in thy love and in the union of grace with thy
Divine Son. Send forth thy Angels to assist me in spreading devotion to
thine Immaculate Heart so that through thine intercession there may be
peace in the world and in the Church, and the Kingdom of Christ may
come on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.
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The ceremony ends with a
short litany:
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V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
R. Have mercy on us!
V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
R. Have mercy on us!
V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
R. Have mercy on us!
V. Immaculate Heart of Mary
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Joseph
R. Pray for us.
V. St. Margaret Mary
R. Pray for us.
All: Glory to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus forever and ever! Amen.
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The priest gives his
blessing in the name of the Church, or the natural father gives a
paternal blessing:
May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever. Amen.
Then the members of the
family and the priest sign the Certificate of the Enthronement, which
should be framed and hung near the image of the Sacred Heart or kept in
the family vault. After the ceremony, send in name and address of
family to a Local Center or to the National Center. Give date of
ceremony, name of officiating priest, if any, and parish.
National Enthronement Center
73 Adams St,
Fairhaven, MA 02719
Tel. (508) 999-2680
Email: necenter@sscc.org
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Periodic Renewal of the
Consecration
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Periodically, the family
might want to renew the Consecration, especially on the Feast of the
Sacred Heart, at the Feast of Christ the King (the last Sunday in
October), at births, deaths, major life events, such as First
Communions, Confirmations, a child leaving for College, etc. The
following prayers are for this purpose:
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Renewal of the
Consecration of the Family
Most sweet Jesus, humbly kneeling at Thy feet, we renew the
consecration of our family to Thy Divine Heart. Be Thou our King
forever! In Thee we have full and entire confidence. May Thy spirit
penetrate our thoughts, our desires, our words and our works. Bless our
undertakings, share in our joys, in our trials and in our labors. Grant
us to know Thee better, to love Thee more, to serve Thee without
faltering.
By the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Peace, set up Thy kingdom in
our country. Enter closely into the midst of our families and make them
Thine own through the solemn enthronement of Thy Sacred Heart, so that
soon one cry may resound from home to home: "May the triumphant Heart
of Jesus be everywhere loved, blessed and glorified forever!" Honor and
glory to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
A Prayer for the Christian Family
O God of goodness and mercy, to Thy fatherly protection we commend our
family, our household and all that belongs to us. We commit all to Thy
love and keeping; do Thou fill this house with Thy blessings even as
Thou didst fill the holy house of Nazareth with Thy presence. Keep far
from us, above all things, the taint of sin, and do Thou alone reign in
our midst by Thy law, by Thy most holy love and by the exercise of
every Christian virtue. Let each one of us obey Thee, love Thee and set
himself to imitate in his own life Thine example, that of Mary, Thy
Mother and our Mother most loving, and that of Thy blameless guardian,
Saint Joseph.
Preserve us and our house from all evils and misfortunes, but grant
that we may be ever resigned to Thy Divine will even in the sorrows
which it shall please Thee to send us. Finally give us all the grace to
live in perfect harmony and in the fulness of love toward our neighbor.
Grant that every one of us may deserve by a holy life the comfort of
Thy holy Sacraments at the hour of death. O Jesus, bless us and protect
us.
O Mary, Mother of grace and of mercy, defend us against the wicked
spirit, reconcile us with Thy Son, commit us to His keeping, that so we
may be made worthy of His promises. St. Joseph, foster father of our
Savior, guardian of His holy Mother, head of the Holy Family, intercede
for us, bless us and defend our home at all times. Amen.
See also: The Three Hearts: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to
learn how you can tell these hearts apart
Notes:
1 There is a politically
sanitized, postconciliar version of this Act of
Consecration. It reads:
Most
Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly
prostrate before Your altar. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but
to be more surely united to You, behold, each one of us freely
consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart.
Many indeed have never known You; many too, despising Your precepts,
have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and
draw them to Your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the
faithful children who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodical
children who have abandoned You. Grant that they may quickly return to
their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord
keeps aloof; and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of
faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from
harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound
from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought
our salvation. To Him be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Footnotes:
1 Read more about St. Mechtilde on the "Three Hail Marys Devotion" page.
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