Word of the Day: Consecration to the Sacred Heart

CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART. Formal dedication of oneself, of one's family, community, society, or even of the whole human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Consecration implies a total surrender to the Savior in gratitude for his blessings in the past and as a pledge of fidelity in the future. One of the oldest known acts of consecration and reparation to the Sacred Heart dates from the fifteenth century and was popularized by the Benedictine monks at the Abbey of St. Matthias at Trier in the German Rhineland. After St. Margaret Mary, the practice of consecration to the Heart of Jesus became widespread in the Catholic world. Personal consecration of the individual can be made often and informally and, in fact, the Morning Offering of the Apostleship of Prayer is a daily act of consecration. Family consecration has been strongly recommended by the modern popes, e.g., Pope Pius XII, who declared, "It is our heartfelt desire that the love of Jesus Christ of which His Heart is the fountain, should again take possession of private and public life. May our divine Savior reign over society and home life through His law of love. That is why we make a special appeal to Christian families to consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart." Group consecrations go back to at least 1720, when the city of Marseilles, through its bishop and civil officials, made the dedication. Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart in 1899 in anticipation of the Holy Year at the turn of the century. In 1925, Pope Pius XI ordered a formal Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to be publicly recited annually on the feast of Jesus Christ the King.

✠✠✠✠✠ The text of Pope Pius XI's Consecration: Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 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 to Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates ourselves 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 children, 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 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 to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; To it be glory and honor forever. R. Amen.