"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 and First Friday Devotion
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 wound Heart was gradually
reached, and the wound in the Heart symbolized the wound of love." (Catholic
Encyclopedia)
This general devotion arose first in Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries
of that time, especially in response to the devotion of St. Gertrude the
Great, but specific devotions became 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, that:
 | 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 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) |
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Friday that follows
the Second Sunday in Time After Pentecost 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, which is the Thursday of the week
before. On the Feast of the Sacred Heart itself, 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.
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.
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.
|
| 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. |
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. |
|
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 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 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. |
| 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. |
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. |
|
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. |
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!
|
|
Now
all pray the one Pater, one Ave, and one Glory Be: |
| 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. |
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. |
| 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. |
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.
|
| 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. |
Gloria Patri,
et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et
semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. |
|
|
Now
all pray a prayer of thanksgivng: |
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! |
|
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. |
|
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. |
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. |
|
|
Optional: If so desired, an Act of Consecration to the Heart of Mary may
be added, and her image installed near the Sacred Heart. |
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. |
|
The
ceremony ends with a short litany: |
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.
|
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.
|
|
Periodic Renewal of the Consecration |
|
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: |
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. |
Devotion to the Sacred Heart..
Click Here
|
Mary
appeared to St. Catherine Labouré standing on a globe, rays of light
streaming from her fingers, enframed in an oval frame inscribed with the
words, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee." The whole vision "turned" showing the back of the oval inscribed with
the letter "M" entwined with a Cross, and the hearts of Jesus and Mary, the
former surrounded with thorns, the latter pierced with a sword. 12 stars
circled this oval frame. Mary told her to strike a medal in this form -- a
medal now known as the "Miraculous Medal" -- and that all who wore it
properly after having it blessed would receive graces. The wearing of the
Miraculous Medal has become one of the most common devotions to the
Immaculate Heart.