Enthronement of the Sacred Heart: Questions and Answers

Does My family need to be present and willing to participate in the Enthronement?

The Enthronement is on behalf of your whole family, living and deceased. We look to the Promises of the Sacred Heart that states, “I will pour out abundant blessings on their undertakings; I will give peace to their families, and I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart will be exposed and honored.”

We do not believe “family” is reserved for those who live in your house; the family is your blood-line. Enthronement is a great way to gain new peace and graces for your family and unite with Jesus in a Covenant of love.

What is the Difference between Enthronement and Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

The purpose of the Enthronement in your home is to bring the family closer to Jesus fully present in the Eucharist and His Most Sacred Heart. The Enthronement is to encourage the family to begin to live “the Sacred Heart way of life”- a life of love and friendship with Jesus, the divine Head and loving Friend of the home.

A consecration to the Sacred Heart is a prayer by which one sets apart themselves as belonging to the Sacred Heart. We give Jesus our joys, trials, sorrows, actions of the day.. of our life,.

An Enthronement is an action, involving prayer, by which one inaugurates the beginning of Jesus having a throne in the life of someone or a family.

They are related yet distinct. A consecration is what we do to belong to the Lord, and Enthronement is what we invite the Lord to do to us. To make us His by our acknowledging Him as King, Brother, and Friend.

Why the heart? Why focus on the heart of Jesus?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the Catholic view of the centrality of one’s heart to prayer, faith, love, and action.“ The heart is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully. The heart is the place of decision, deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth, where we choose life or death.” (2) Therefore, the heart of Jesus, the sinless Son of God, is the perfect source of truth, life, and love.

What are the Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to St. Margaret Mary between 1673-1675. Among the words spoken to her, she heard Jesus make several promises to those who would respond to the pleading of His Heart and make an effort to return His love. The Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary: (1) I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. (2) I will establish peace in their homes. (3) I will comfort them in all their afflictions. (4) I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death. (5) I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings. (6) Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy. (7) Lukewarm souls shall become fervent. (8) Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. (9) I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored. 10) I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. (11) Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.(12) I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my 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 My disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.”

Where are the Promises of the Sacred Heart referenced in the Gospels of our Lord?

Here is a list of scriptures that speak of the promise the Lord offers to His disciples. This list is not complete but rather a sample for you to understand how the promises of this devotion are affirmed by the promises the Lord shares. Jesus wants all of us to discover the gift of His Most Sacred Heart. ·

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Mt. 6:33)
“I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and My own know Me.” (Jn 10:14)
“Peace I leave you… my peace I give you.” (Jn 14:27)
“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.” (Lk 11:9-13)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28)
“Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me.” (Rv. 3:20)

What is a Good Consecration Prayer 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.

. — St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Why Prepare for Enthronement?

It is wonderful to prepare your heart and home for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart since you are inviting Jesus into our home as the King of kings, a Divine Guest, and the Friend of the family. The more we prepare for the Enthronement, the more we get out of it, such as any other event in the life of the family.

Think of the three-day ( or if you choose so- longer) preparation period as a Triduum of Prayer. This Preparation period Includes praying prayers, reading Scripture, encourage families and individuals to pray the Rosary, and spend time together. In our booklet for the Enthronement, we encourage a decade of the Rosary as a beginning point of prayer but always feel free to add more prayer time.
Consider watching videos read inspiring readings, and blog posts about Enthronement on our website. Also, consider making time to go to Mass and receive Communion.
Set up the throne in the living room or a visible place. Great options like above the fireplace, or in the Dining Room, or in the Living Room. Include getting flowers or a special candle you can light when praying. It is also nice to place images of family members to recall the gift of your family living and deceased. Consider having other additional images in bedrooms as a way to remind the children and yourself of this devotion.
Invite guests to join you. This is not essential, but it is always nice to celebrate special moments with friends and family members. It is great to include the Enthronement when you would already gather, such as Anniversary, Feast Days, Birthdays, and or Holy Days.

What if I want to include a priest at the enthronement Ceremony?

We must first recall that the “family” enthrones the Lord as their King, Savior, and Friend. It is the family who chooses to welcome Jesus. We include a certificate to help record this special moment for your family. This is not a sacrament but a devotion. However, priests and religious are lovely guests to include!

If you invite a priest or deacon to attend the Enthronement, consider asking him to bless the images, the home, the family, and the day. He can share an inspiring meditation or brief homily.