Enthronement Of The Sacred Heart In The Home
BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Prepare for the Enthronement:
1. Learn what it is and how important it is. Procure explanatory literature. Prepare well.
2. Set a date for the Enthronement in agreement with the Pastor or other priest.
3. If possible the family should assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered that morning for the reign of the Sacred Heart in your home and as an act of love and reparation to the Sacred Heart. The entire family should try to receive Communion at this Mass, or at another Mass.
4. Obtain as beautiful a picture or statue of the Sacred Heart as possible. If you already have a picture, use that one.
5. Below the place of honour reserved for the statue or picture, prepare a "throne" or "altar," that is to say, a table (or perhaps the mantelpiece), covered with a white cloth, beautifully decorated with flowers and candles. The picture or statue should be placed on a small table near this "throne" before the ceremony, and not on the throne itself. Put photographs of deceased and absent members of family around the "throne". Have Holy Water on the small table.
6. Invite your relatives and friends to be present, thus you will already begin to be an "apostle of the Sacred Heart." Have a family celebration after the ceremony, with a special treat for the children, who of course, should be present at the ceremony, even the smallest.
7. Make this day one of the outstanding events of the family life - one long to be remembered. The greater the solemnity, the better.
THE CEREMONY
1. All gather around the "throne" of the King; father, mother, and children nearest to the priest - who stands facing the picture of the Sacred Heart.
2. Priest, in surplice and white stole, blesses the picture or statue.
THE BLESSING OF THE PICTURE OR STATUE
V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram
V. Dominus vobiscum
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus.
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui Sanctorum tuorum imagines pingi (sculpti) non reprobas, ut quoties illas oculis corporis intuemur, toties eorum actus et sanctitatem ad imitandum memoriae oculis meditemur, hanc quaesumus, imaginem (sculpuram) in honorem et memoriam Sacratissimi Cordis Unigeniti Filii tui Domini Nostri Jesu Christi adaptatam bene U dicere, et sanctifi U care digneris: et praesta; ut, quicumque coram illa unigenitum Filium tuum suppliciter colere et honorare studuerit, illius meritis et obtentu a te gratiam in praesenti, et aeternam gloriam obtineat in futurum, per eundun Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
V./ Our help is in the name of the Lord
R./ Who hast made heaven and earth
V./ The Lord be with you
R./ And with your spirit
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 picture (statue) made in honour 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 worship and honour 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.
(The priest here sprinkles the picture with holy water)
3. Then the father (or in his absence the mother) solemnly installs this picture or statue in the place of honour prepared for it. This is the symbolic act of Enthronement.
4. All stand while the APOSTLES' CREED is recited as an act of faith on the part of the family.
5. Everyone is seated while the priest 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 it is about to make.
6. All kneel, while the priest recites the official ACT OF CONSECRATION of the family to the Sacred Heart.
ACT OF CONSECRATION OF
THE FAMILY TO THE SACRED HEART
(Recited by the Priest and the father/mother)
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 of 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 ever 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 towards the repentant sinner. Lastly when the hour of separation will sound and death will plunge our home into mourning, then shall we all and every one of us be resigned to Thy eternal decrees, and seek consolation in the thought that we shall all 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!
7. The priest here asks those present to say with him ONE OUR FATHER AND HAIL MARY for all the absent members, both living and dead.
8. All recite with the priest the following:
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
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 honour * 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 innocent 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 beloved Saviour, * 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 has 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.
9. As an act of homage to the Immaculate Heart of Mary all stand and recite the HAIL HOLY QUEEN.
10. EJACULATIONS:
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us! (3 times)
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, Pray for us.
St. Margaret Mary, Pray for us.
(ALL) Glory to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus forever and ever! Amen.
11. The priest gives his blessing:
Benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. Amen. (May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain forever. Amen.)
12. Then the members of the family and the priest sign the Certificate of the Enthronement, which should be framed and hung near the picture of the Sacred Heart or kept in the family archives. At this point a hymn to the Sacred Heart may be sung.
13. The Priest, or the father, announces the following indulgences to be gained by the members of the family (Raccolta 1943).
1. An indulgence of 7 years for all the members of the family who, at least contrite of heart assist at the ceremony of the Enthronement in their home.
2. An indulgence of 3 years, once a year, on the day they renew the official act of consecration before the likeness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
TEN PRACTICES OF DEVOTION
RENEWAL OF THE CONSECRATION
OF THE FAMILY TO THE SACRED HEART
(Short form to be recited after the daily Rosary)
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 deeds. Bless our undertakings, share in our joys, in our trials and in our labours. Grant us to know Thee better, to love Thee more, and 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 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 ! » Honour and glory to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Sacred Heart of Jesus protect our family. Amen.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS ON WHICH THE FAMILY SHOULD
RENEW THE ACT OF CONSECRATION (Long Form).
Feast of the Sacred Heart; Christ the King.
Anniversary of the Enthronement.
Anniversary of parents and children.
At births; after Baptism in the Church consecrate the children to the Sacred Heart before the "throne" in the home.
At First Communion: prepare the children before the image of the Sacred Heart in the home. When they return from Church, let the children renew the act of consecration made for them by parents at birth.
Before a departure from home: to join army, convent, seminary or before marriage, etc.
On the return of an absent member of the family.
On days of great family joys: in times of sorrow, sickness and death.
NOTE: There is no more appropriate way for a young couple to begin their married life, than to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their new home.