The month of June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, principally on account of the fact that the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (the Friday after the second Sunday following Pentecost) is celebrated in June.
According to the Directory on Popular Piety, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is “one of the most widespread and popular [devotions] in the Church.”
It is a deeply Christo-centric practice that has been promoted by numerous saints over the centuries. When viewed, “in the light of the Scriptures, the term ‘Sacred Heart of Jesus’ denotes the entire mystery of Christ, the totality of his being, and his person considered in its most intimate essential: Son of God, uncreated wisdom; infinite charity, principal of the salvation and sanctification of mankind. The ‘Sacred Heart’ is Christ, the Word Incarnate, Saviour, intrinsically containing, in the Spirit, an infinite divine-human love for the Father and for his brothers.”
Among the many pious customs involving the Sacred Heart is a traditional “enthronement,” or “consecration” of your house (and heart) to Jesus. In particular, Jesus promised to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque that, “I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.”
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Over the years the Church has developed various types of enthronements that make the placing of an image of the Sacred Heart a more formal and spiritual event. For example, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer) has its own family consecration prayer service that can be found in Father James Kubicki’s book, A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Besides the prayer service, Father Kubicki provides an engaging history on devotion to the Sacred Heart and why it is still relevant today.
Over the past several years Father Michael Gaitley has joined the cause and developed his own program called Consoling the Heart of Jesus, which is very popular in parish settings. It features an extensive retreat that is aimed at uniting one’s heart closer to that of Jesus and ends in a consecration to the Sacred Heart.
Another chief promoter of the Sacred Heart is Cardinal Raymond Burke, who compiled a liturgical celebration of the enthronement in his book The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He also includes a basic introduction to the ancient custom and provides a detailed instruction on how to prepare spiritually.
Additionally, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote a personal prayer of consecration that could be used when devoting oneself or one’s family to the Sacred Heart.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.Amen.
Whatever method you use to dedicate your home to the Sacred Heart, the emphasis should be placed on spiritual preparation. It is not simply an activity where you place an image of Jesus in a prominent place in your home. Similar to consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, it is focused on joining your heart to the heart of Jesus so that you are one with him in all things.
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And today we celebrate...