Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Jesus, King of Love, we consecrate ourselves entirely to Your Most Sacred Heart. We give You our hearts, our minds, our souls, and all that we are and have.

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of us all, we entrust ourselves to your loving care. Help us to follow your Son faithfully, to grow in holiness, and to share in His love and mercy.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, we desire to honor You, serve You, and make reparation for our sins. Immaculate Heart of Mary, guide us in all things and lead us closer to Jesus.

May our hearts be united with Yours, and may we live always in Your love, offering our lives for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.

Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, we consecrate ourselves to You.

Amen.

An Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a prayer or devotion through which individuals, families, or even nations dedicate themselves to the spiritual protection and guidance of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. This act typically involves entrusting one's life, actions, and intentions to their hearts, seeking their intercession, and promising to live a virtuous Christian life.

The concept of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, emphasizing the profound love and mercy symbolized by these two hearts. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents His divine love for humanity, His suffering, and His desire for our salvation. The Immaculate Heart of Mary symbolizes her perfect purity, her sorrows, and her unwavering obedience to God's will, making her a powerful intercessor and a model for all believers. The "Alliance of the Two Hearts" highlights the inseparable bond between Jesus and Mary in the work of redemption and sanctification.

Various forms of this consecration exist, often including specific prayers that express devotion and commitment. For example, some prayers involve consecrating one's entire being, family, home, and country to these hearts, vowing to practice Christian virtues, pray the Rosary, and receive Holy Communion regularly. St. Maximilian Kolbe's "Consecration to the Immaculate" further elaborates on this devotion, viewing the Immaculate Heart as a refuge for sinners and a means through which all graces come from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He describes the act as having three parts: an invocation, a petition to be accepted as property, and an entreaty to be used as an instrument for spreading Mary's glory and crushing evil. The invocation often addresses Mary as "Immaculate Conception," "Queen of Heaven and earth," "Refuge of sinners," and "Our most loving Mother," acknowledging her unique role and power. The petition involves humbly offering oneself entirely to Mary as her possession, including one's soul, body, life, death, and eternity. The entreaty asks Mary to use the consecrated individual to accomplish God's designs, particularly in combating heresies and extending the Kingdom of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The practice of consecration is often encouraged with the understanding that Mary, as "Suppliant Omnipotence," can obtain all graces and intercede effectively for those who dedicate themselves to her. It is seen as a way to grow closer to God through Mary, imitating her virtues, and seeking her protection against spiritual dangers. The act is not merely a one-time event but often involves a commitment to daily renewal and a life lived in accordance with Christian principles.