Consecration of the Family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Consecration of the Family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we, your family, come before You with love and devotion. We consecrate ourselves and our home to You, asking that Your divine love may reign in our hearts, our home, and our lives.

Lord Jesus, keep our family united in faith, strengthen our love for one another, and guide us to live in peace, charity, and holiness. Grant us patience in difficulties, courage in trials, and a spirit of service and generosity.

May our family be a true domestic Church, reflecting Your love to all who know us. Protect us from all harm and evil, and lead us always along the path of Your will.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we give ourselves entirely to You, today and forever.

Amen.

The Consecration of the Family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Catholic devotional practice where a family dedicates itself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, acknowledging His sovereignty over their home and lives. This act is rooted in the revelations made to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, where Jesus expressed His desire to reign in Christian families.

This consecration is not merely a fleeting prayer but a solemn act intended to establish a perpetual offering of the family to the Heart of Jesus, influencing their entire lives and fostering an abiding relationship with Him. It signifies the family's resolution to live according to Christ's teachings, banish worldly influences, and cultivate virtues that promise peace.

Meaning and Purpose

The consecration signifies that the family acknowledges Jesus Christ's right to reign over them by creation, redemption, and the Sacrament of Matrimony. It is a voluntary act where parents offer themselves and their children to the Heart of Jesus, committing to His love and service. This dedication aims to foster a life centered on Christ, where virtues flourish, and the spirit of the world is rejected. The frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist is emphasized as a means to keep the flame of love for Jesus alive in their hearts.

Benefits and Blessings

Families who consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart are believed to receive numerous blessings. These include peace in their homes, consolation in difficulties, abundant blessings on their undertakings, and a secure refuge in life and at the hour of death. The Sacred Heart promises to cherish such families with special predilection, guarding and guiding each member through life's challenges towards eternal vision. It is also believed to bring graces for repentance and forgiveness for those who stray. The Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Joseph are often invoked to present and uphold this consecration.

How to Make the Consecration

The consecration is typically a solemn event. It involves procuring an image or statue of the Sacred Heart and placing it in a prominent location in the home. A special feast day is often chosen for the ceremony. The head of the household, or a priest if present, leads the family in reciting the prayer of consecration, often kneeling. After the prayer, family members may sign a written formula as a lasting testament to their commitment.

Maintaining the Consecration

Fidelity to the spirit of the consecration is crucial. This involves daily practices such as gathering before the image of the Sacred Heart to offer homage, reciting prayers like the Litany of the Sacred Heart or the Act of Reparation, and engaging in family prayer, such as the Rosary. Regular reception of the Holy Eucharist and instruction in Christian doctrine, especially for children, are also strongly encouraged to keep the faith alive and deepen the family's devotion.

Historical Context

The practice of consecrating families to the Sacred Heart gained significant approval, notably from Pope St. Pius X on May 19, 1908, who approved a specific form for gaining indulgences. Pope Benedict XV also encouraged this devotion, recognizing its role in propagating the Christian spirit in family home.

Related Devotions

The Consecration of the Family to the Sacred Heart is often linked with other devotions, such as the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Home and devotion to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. These practices emphasize the perpetual presence of Christ in the home and encourage frequent participation in the sacraments. Some prayers also include consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Holy Family, recognizing their intercession and example.