Consecration of the Home and Family and the Devotion of Enthronement

We can consecrate our homes and families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the traditional prayers or by using the Catholic enthronement ceremony. The later requires keeping a place of honor as a throne and a ceremony typically conducted by a Priest or member of the clergy. This helps us remember the importance of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and allows us to invite Jesus to live with us and cultivate our friendship with Him. 



If you have seen a brochure or recognize the practice of attending “nine first Friday” masses, then you may know about Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. In her first of three great apparitions of Jesus, He said:

“I will bless the homes in which the Image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.”

Jesus calls us through the devotions to the Sacred Heart to welcome Him into our daily life. When we take part in the Sacrament of Penance, attend weekly or daily Mass and spend some time in Adoration, we broaden our friendship with God.

The enthronement ceremony requires a few steps as depicted below.
1. Set a date with the Pastor. It is desirable to have a priest conduct the ceremony, but it is not essential to gain the indulgences.
2. The entire family should receive Communion by the priest.
3. Obtain or use an existing picture or statue of the Sacred Heart.
4. Below the place of honor reserved for the statue or picture, prepare a table or a mantelpiece covered with white cloth, flowers, and candles. We consider this the throne.
Place the picture or statute on a small table near the throne before the ceremony.
5. Invite relatives and friends to the ceremony and consider having a dinner or celebration afterward.
6. Make this day one everyone will remember.
THE CEREMONY
1. All gather around the image of the Sacred Heart near the priest.
2. The priest, in surplice and white stole, blesses the image.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who dost approve the painting and sculpture 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 worship 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.

[The priest here sprinkles the image with holy water.]
3. 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. We consider this the symbolic act of “Enthronement.”
4. All stand and recite the Apostle’s Creed as an act of faith on the part of the family.
5. We then sit while the priest addresses a few words to those present, reminding the members of the family of what the Sacred Heart expects 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.
6. All kneel, while the priest and the father or other family member recites the official Act of Consecration.

(On the Feast of the Sacred Heart, you will receive a plenary indulgence for reciting on the Feast the Litany of the Sacred Heart. You can also obtain a plenary indulgence for reciting the following Prayer on the Feast Act of Consecration of the Human Race:

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thy 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 their 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 soon 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 all into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of that 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.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

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 every one 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!

7. The priest asks those present to say an Our Father and Hail Mary for absent members, both living and dead, so that they will share in the graces of the Enthronement.
8. Recite 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 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!

9. For the grace of the Enthronement, thank the Immaculate Heart of Mary, by reciting the (Salve Regina) Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; hail 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. 

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

You may also say the Act of Consecration to the Heart of Mary, and install her image with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
10.  Recite the Follow:

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us! [3 times]
Immaculate Heart of Mary: Pray for us.
St. Joseph: Pray for U.S’.
St. Margaret Mary: Pray for us.
Glory to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus forever and ever!
Amen.

11. The priest gives his blessing:

May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever.
Amen.

12. Then the members of the family and the priest sign the Certificate of the Enthronement. Frame it and hang it near the image of the Sacred Heart.
This signifies the installation of the tradition Enthronement.