Preparation for the Enthronement Ceremony
- Learn more about the ceremony for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and how important it is.
- Set a date for the Enthronement. 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. Contact the parish secretary at secretary@materdeiparish.com to schedule time with a priest.
- Obtain as beautiful a picture or statue of the Sacred Heart as possible. If you already have a picture, use that one.
- Below the place of honor reserved for the statue or picture, prepare a “throne” or “altar,” that is to say, a table (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.
- 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.
- 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.
The Ceremony for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Home
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 no priest is present; have the image blessed beforehand.]
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 Apostle’s 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.
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] the following:
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 the Hail 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 U.S’.
St. Margaret Mary: Pray for us.
[ALL] Glory to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus forever and ever! Amen.
11. The priest gives his blessing: May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 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 or kept in the family vault.