Jesus, King of Love (1945 ed.), Appendix II – Ceremonial for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Home

BY Father Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SS.CC.

Appendix II

CEREMONIAL FOR THE ENTHRONEMENT
OF THE SACRED HEART IN THE HOME

Before the Ceremony

Prepare for the Enthronement:

Related: Ceremonials of the Enthronement (Fr. Francis Larkin, SS.CC.)1) Learn what it is and how important it is. Procure explanatory literature. Prepare well.

2) Set a date for the Enthronement in agreement with the Priest.

3) If possible have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered that morning for the reign of the Sacred Heart in your home, and as an act of love and reparation to the Sacred Heart. The entire family should try to receive Communion at this Mass, or at another Mass. (Optional.)

4) Obtain as beautiful a picture or statue of the Sacred Heart as possible. If you already have a picture, use that one. (Suitable pictures may be obtained reasonably at your local Center or at the National Center.)

5) Below the place of honor reserved for the statue or picture, prepare a “throne” or “altar,” that is to say, a table (or perhaps the mantelpiece), covered with a white cloth, beautifully decorated with flowers and candles. The picture or statue should be placed on a small table near this “throne” before the ceremony. Put photographs of departed and absent members of family around the “throne,” especially of those in the service. Have Holy Water on the table.

6) Invite your relatives and friends to be present, thus you will already begin to be an “apostle of the Sacred Heart.” Have a family party after the ceremony, with a special treat for the children, who of course, should be present at the ceremony, even the smallest.

7) Make this day one of the outstanding events of the family life — one long to be remembered. The greater the solemnity, the better.

Note: Even though your home has been consecrated to the Sacred Heart, you may still have the Enthronement, as the two are not the same.

Hymn Appropriate Prior to the Enthronement (Click/Expand or Bypass)
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O Lord Sacred Heart
Please make our home Thy throne
Our humble service take to_ Thee
To spread Thy love’s renown
Until the whole world yields
All earth and heaven take
Thy sway o’er all hearts comforting
Thy right eternal reign.


The Ceremony

1) All gather around the “throne” of the King; Father, Mother, and children nearest to the priest ­who stands facing the picture of the Sacred Heart.

2) Priest, in surplice and white stole, blesses the picture.

The Blessing of the Picture or Statue

V Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. V Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R Qui fecit coelum et terram. R Who hath made heaven and earth.
V Dominus vobiscum. V The Lord be with you.
R Et cum spiritu tuo. R And with thy spirit.
Orermus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui Sanctorum tuorum imagines pingi non reprobas, ut quoties illas oculis corporis intuemur, toties eorum actus et sanctitatem ad imitandum memoriae oculis meditemur, hanc quaesumus, imaginem in honorem et memoriam Sacratissimi Cordis Unigeniti Filii tui Domini Nostri Jesu Christi adaptatam bene ✠ dicere et sancti ✠ ficare digneris; et praesta ut quicumque coram illa, 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.

3) Then the priest or the father (or in his absence the mother) solemnly installs the picture or statue in the place of honor prepared for it. (If the picture or statue is already in a permanent place, then it may be lifted slightly to indicate the act of “placing on a throne.”) This is the symbolic act of Enthronement.

4) All stand while the Apostles’ Creed is recited as an act of faith on the part of the family.

5) Everyone is seated while the priest 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.

6) All kneel, while the priest recites the official Act of Consecration of the family to the Sacred Heart. NOTE: This is the official text composed by Fr. Ladislas, SS. CC., and approved by Pius X, at the request of the Procurator General of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, by Rescript of May 19, 1908. It was made obligatory to gain the indulgences of the Enthronement by a decision of the Sacred Penitentiary on March 1, 1918 (A. A. S. April 1, 1918, p. 154).

Act of Consecration of the
Family to the Sacred Heart

(Recited by the Priest)

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 ever 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 towards 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 all 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 here asks those present to say with him one Our Father and Hail Mary for all the absent members, both living and dead.

8) All recite with the priest 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, care and joys of Thy innocent 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 these contrite and confident dispositions 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 beloved Saviour, * 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) As an act of homage to the Immaculate Heart of Mary all recite the Hail Holy Queen.

10) Ejaculations:

Priest All
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary: Pray for us.
St. Joseph: Pray for us.
St. Margaret Mary: Pray for us.

Glory to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus forever and ever! Amen.

11) The priest gives his blessing: Benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. Amen. – May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain forever. Amen.

Hymn Appropriate to End the Enthronement (Postlude) (Click/Expand or Bypass)

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(Pieter de Grebber – God Inviting Christ to Sit on the Throne at His Right Hand) Christ Jesus … Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:5-11

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O, Sacred Heart, enthroned within our homes,
Thou art our Sovereign Lord and Master;
We want to please Thee every moment forward,
We want to be Thy faithful servants;
Thou add’st our pain and suf’fring to Thine own,
Limitless meritorious off’ring,
To God the Father, on His throne of Glory,
From where Thou reign’st over our homes every day.


12) Then the members of the family and the priest sign the Certificate of the Enthronement, which should be framed and hung near the picture of the Sacred Heart or kept in the family archives.

13) The priest announces the following indulgences to be gained by the members of the family:

(a) A plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

(b) An indulgence of 7 years for all the members of the family who, at least contrite of heart assist at the ceremony of the Enthronement in their home.

(c) An indulgence of 3 years — once a year, on the day they renew the official act of consecration before the likeness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

(d) A plenary indulgence on the same day under the usual conditions.

Optional Practices of Devotion

1) Frequent and even daily attendance at Mass by at least one member of family, and Communion of Reparation. Recite the “Mass of St. John” during the day. (Offertory, Consecration and Communion prayers.)

2) Observance of the First Friday of each month. (Holy Mass, Communion of Reparation; renewal of act of consecration; flowers and lighted candles before enthroned image.)

3) Evening prayers and Rosary before the enthroned image of the Sacred Heart, with renewal of the act of consecration.

4) Celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart by the entire family; attendance at Mass, Communion for the extension of the Reign of the Sacred Heart through the Enthronement; family gathering and celebration at home, with renewal of Enthronement; special party for the children.

5) Observe the month of June, the month of the Sacred Heart; keep flowers before “throne.” Mass and Communion as often as possible.

6) Assist at Holy Hour in Church.

7) Night Adoration in the home. (Any hour between 9 and 6, by any one or all the members of the family at least once a month. See explanatory pamphlet.)

8) Celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 22. Mass, Communion, Consecration of family to Immaculate Heart.

9) Practice devotion to the Holy Ghost. Recite “Rosary of the Holy Ghost.” (Leaflet on request.)

Special Occasions on which the Family
Should Renew the Act of Consecration (long form)

1) Feast of Sacred Heart; Christ the King.

2) Anniversary of the Enthronement.

3) Anniversaries of parents and children.

4) At births; after Baptism in the Church consecrate the children to the Sacred Heart before the “throne” in the home.

5) At First Communion: prepare the children before the image of the Sacred Heart in the home. When they return from Church, let the children renew the act of consecration made for them by parents at birth.

6) Before a departure from home: to join army, convent, seminary; before marriage, etc.

7) On the return of an absent member of family.

8) On days of great family joys; in times of sorrow, sickness and death.

Note: There is no more appropriate way for a young couple to begin their married life, than to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their new home.

Information in the original text that is no longer relevant (Click/Expand or Bypass)
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Send in name and address of family after the ceremony to a Local Center or to the National Center. Give date of ceremony, name of officiating priest and parish.


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