OUR LADY OF FATIMA  CATHOLIC CHURCH

Home Enthronement of the Sacred Heart

"The Enthronement is the official and social recognition of the sovereignty of the Sacred Heart of Jesus over the Christian family, a recognition affirmed, outwardly expressed, and made permanent by the solemn installation of the image of that divine Heart in a conspicuous place in the home and by the Act of Consecration.

From this definition it is at once evident that the Enthronement is not the mere blessing of a picture, or a mere act of consecration, nor a mere outward and passing ceremony. The Enthronement is all that and a great deal more. By it the members of a family solemnly and officially proclaim and set up in their home the social kingship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Some persons have wrongly supposed that the whole movement of the enthronement is based on the particular promise of the Sacred Heart to bless the homes where His picture is exposed and honored; they imagine the work to be out to propagate and diffuse the image of the Sacred Heart in all homes so as to draw down upon them the promised blessing. Consequently these persons consider the Enthronement to be one of those numerous devotions of supererogation, which, no doubt, are all good in themselves, but which, by reason of their multiplicity and often encumbering practices, not rarely produce the contrary effect to that which was intended, they hamper and kill devotion instead of helping and creasing it.

The Enthronement cannot be ranked in the category of the devotions referred to; in fact, it cannot be called devotion in the ordinary sense of the word. It preaches a life; it holds forth the fundamental principles of our religion and applies them to everyday life. It brings out the loving person of our Divine Lord and associates Him with every detail of home life. It insists not so much on devotion to the Sacred Heart as on the spirit of that devotion. Rather than burden our life with supplementary devotional practices, it transforms life itself, giving to everything we do the soul of divine love. If the Enthronement points to certain practices, for instance Holy Communion on the First Friday, it takes care to accentuate the motive of love and reparation for which they were asked.

The Enthronement seeks to establish the effective reign of the Sacred Heart in the family and, through family, in society. It has chosen for its watchword the words of our blessed Lord to St Margaret Mary: "I will reign by My Sacred Heart." Its program is the realization of this request which sums up all the desires and demands of the Sacred Heart.

Two main ideas are contained in the motto of the crusade: "I will reign" refers to Christ's social kingship; "by My Sacred Heart" refers to His kingship of love, or His friendship.

Perhaps the Enthronement can be further explained by a few questions and answers, in the form of a "catechism on the Enthronement."

Q. What does the word "enthronement" mean?
A. The word enthronement means to install on a throne, in recognition of a person's authority.

Q. Can you give an example?
A. Yes. The enthronement of a bishop in his cathedral as a recognition of his spiritual authority over the diocese.

Q. What do you mean by "the official and social recognition of the loving kingship of the Heart of Jesus in a Christian family"? A. In the ceremony of the enthronement, the family is considered as the basic unit of society, the social cell, and also as the "nation in miniature." As such it proclaims Jesus as its King and, as far as it can, as the King of the entire nation. That is why the father, the head of the family, installs the image in the place of honor. It is a public act inasmuch as it is done in a prominent place in the home and not in a private place, such as a bedroom.

Q. Why install the image of the Sacred Heart?
A. (1) Because our Lord asked us to do so; (2) because He is a King who rules through love; (3) because the installation of the image of the Sacred Heart is an outward and tangible recognition of these truths and a permanent reminder that He is a King who rules over the home through love.

Q. Why the installation of the image in the place of honor?
A. (1) To make reparation for the dethronement of Christ from the first place in everyday family life and in the public life of the nation; (2) because as King and Friend of the family, Jesus has the right and the desire to be given the best place in the home; (3) so that the family and visitors will be constantly reminded that Jesus is the King and Head of the home.

Q. Why enthrone the Sacred Heart in the home?
A. Because our Lord asked that His image be singularly honored in the home. Moreover, it is the home, which is being undermined systematically by its enemies, by the exclusion of Christ from family life. Therefore He must be systematically brought back. Finally the family needs the extraordinary graces promised by the Sacred Heart to those who give Him the place of honor in the home.

Q. Is the Enthronement merely the carrying out of the one request of our Lord, namely, to honor the image of His Sacred Heart?
A. No. According to Father Mateo, the Enthronement "is simply the realization, not of one or the other of the requests made by our Savior to St. Margaret Mary, but the complete and integral realization of all of them, calling forth the fulfillment of the splendid promises with which the King of Love has enriched them."

Q. What are the principal requests made by the Sacred Heart?
A.To be acknowledged as a King who rules through love:(1) "The adorable Heart of Jesus wishes to establish His reign of love in all hearts" (St. Margaret Mary); (2) to have the image of His Heart exposed and honored in a special way in the home; (3) to have everyone consecrate himself to His Heart; (4) to make reparation; (5) to live a life of love and confidence; (6) to make His Heart better known and loved; (7) to show greater devotion to the Eucharist; (8) to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart and the First Fridays.

Q. Does the Enthronement program include all of these requests?
A. Yes. Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are carried out in the ceremony itself, at least in intention and symbolically; numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 are emphasized in the suggestions for the living of the spirit of the Enthronement.

From this it is easy to see why the Enthronement crusade is much more than an organized attempt to get a Sacred Heart picture or statue in every home. That is important, but Father Mateo insists there is much more to his work than this.

"Is the Enthronement nothing more than the image installed in the place of honor? No, there is more to it than that! Is it perhaps but a beautiful and simple consecration of the family to the Sacred Heart? The consecration is included indeed, but there is much more than that ! "What then? There is a marvelous statement made Jesus to St. Margaret Mary which I give as a synthesis of our crusade, at least as far as its supreme ideal is concerned. I will reign through My Heart and promise to reign! The Enthronement is the apotolate which is trying to make this divine affirmation something living and lived in the home, the social cell."

It is then, in this statement of our Lord, "I will reign through My Heart" that we find the basic idea of the Enthronement. These words are at the same time a request and a promise. As a request, they mean: "I want to reign ... to be recognized for what I am, a King of Love." As a promise, they mean: "Despite satan and all those who oppose Me, I will reign, through My Heart, through love."

1. Learn what it is and how important it is.

2. Set a date for the Enthronement in agreement with the Pastor. It is desirable to have a priest preside at the ceremony, but it is not essential to gain the indulgences. For serious reasons, the father or someone else may preside and lead the prayers. In any case, please consult your parish 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.

4. Obtain as beautiful a picture or statue of the Sacred Heart as possible. If you already have a picture, use that one.

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.

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.

1.All gather around the image of the Sacred Heart; father, mother and children nearest to the priest.

2. Priest, in surplice and white stole, blesses the image. (If priest is not present, have the image blessed beforehand.)

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 Christurn Dominum nostrum. Amen.

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 the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The priest here sprinkles the image with holy water.)

3. 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.

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 and the father (or father alone, or his representative) recite the official Act of Consecration.

(Recited by the priest and the father together, or father alone or representative-if priest is absent. This formula is required for indulgences and may not be changed.)

0 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, 0 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 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! Amen.

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, so that all may share in the graces of the Enthronement.

8. All recite with the priest (or head of the family) thefollowing:

Glory be to Thee, * 0 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, 0 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 innocent children! * It is true * we are not worthy * that Thou shouldst enter our humble abode, * but Thou hast already reassured us, * when Thou hast revealed 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 ourseIves to Thee, * Thou Who art unchanging Life. * Remain with us, Most Sacred Heart, * for we feel an irresistable 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, * 0 beloved 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.

0 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 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 now proclaim Thee as our King * and wish no other! * May Thy triumphant Heart, 0 Jesus, be forever loved, * blessed, * and glorified in this home! * Thy Kingdom Come! Amen!

9. (All stand) To 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 theHAIL HOLY QUEEN.(IF so desired, an Act of Consecration to the Heart of Mary may be added, and her image installed near the Sacred Heart.)

10. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us! (3 times)

Immaculate Heart of Mary: Pray for us.

St. Joseph: Pray for us.

(ALL) 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.

12. 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 of Jesus and kept in the family archives. 13. Then are announced the following indulgences to be gained by the members of the family (Raccolta 1943,page 536):

1. A plenary indulgence under the usual conditions, on the day of the Enthronement. 2. 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. 3. An indulgence of 3 years once a year, on the day they renew their official act of consecration before the likeness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 4. A plenary indulgence on the same day under the usual conditions.

NOTE: The CEREMONY of the Enthronement is only the beginning: the following practices of devotion will help you live the Enthronment. This is the TRUE reign of the Sacred Heart in your family.

1. Frequent and even daily attendance at Mass by at least one member of the family, and Communion of Reparation. Recite the "Mass of St. John" during the day.

2. Observance of the First Friday of each month. (Holy Mass, Communion of Reparation: renewal of act of consecration before enthroned image.)

3. Daily Family 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 the "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.

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

9. Make the five First Saturdays in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and for the conversion of Russia; Holy Mass and Communion of reparation; five decades of the Rosary plus a fifteen minute meditation on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. The Rosary and meditation may be carried out at any hour on the First Saturday; a sermon in church will satisfy the obligation of the meditation.

10. Practice devotion to the Holy Ghost. Recite "Rosary of the Holy Ghost."

Special Occasions on Which The Family Should Renew the Act of Consecration (Prayer of Thanksgiving may be added.)

1. Feast of Sacred Heart; Christ the King.

2. Anniversary of the Enthronement.

3. Anniversary 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 the family.

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

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

This is an important question and one that is often asked. Here are the correct answers. It is the desire of the founder of the Enthronement, Father Mateo, and it has always been our practice to invite a priest to preside at the ceremony, and to deliver a talk. The importance of the presence of the priest in the home goes without saying. However, the presence of the priest is not necessary,, either for the validity of the Enthronement, or to gain the indulgences.Therefore, for serious reasons, when for instance, a priest cannot be had, the ceremony may take place without the priest. In any case, consult your parish priest. In this case, the following procedure is to be followed: the image of the Sacred Heart is blessed in advance; the head of the house installs it in the place of honor; he recites the Act of Consecration and leads the other prayers. In his absence, the mother takes his place.

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