"My desire is to reign through My Heart," Our Divine Lord said to Blessed Margaret Mary." I shall bestow abundant graces on the houses where the image of My Sacred Heart is exposed and specially honored."

These words are the foundation of a practice whose object is the solemn consecration of the entire family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, made before an image of that Divine Heart displayed in the home. It is a practice which should profoundly appeal to the laity and there should be no Catholic family which has not been dedicated to that Divine Source of love and blessings.

"For the Christians living in the world," wrote Blessed Margaret Mary, "my Sovereign Master assured me that they would find in the devotion to the Sacred Heart all the help necessary for their state of life, peace in their families, and consolation in their miseries.

"That adorable Heart has likewise pledged itself by means of this devotion to reunite families that have been divided and to bring about peace among them, to protect those who shall be in any necessity, and to turn aside the punishments of the just wrath of God in restoring them to His grace should they by sin have fallen from it.

"Finally it is properly within the Divine Heart Itself that these Christians shall find a place of refuge during life and especially at the hour of death."

These promises are translated from the authentic text of the revelations made to the great servant of the Sacred Heart. The particular practice of which we here speak consists not merely in exposing the image of the Sacred Heart for veneration in the home, but likewise in consecrating to this adorable Heart of Jesus the entire family, its members present and absent, living and dead. Could there be anything more beautiful or more certain to draw down God's blessings and graces upon all who are dear and near to us?

We have here at the same time a most acceptable means of showing our affection to our God and Saviour by offering Him reparation for the infidelities of families and nations that reject and spurn His love. This motive is one that particularly endears us to Our Lord, for devotion to His Divine Heart aims at giving Him a true return of love in order to make amends for the coldness and indifference of countless souls toward Him, especially in His Blessed Sacrament.

For this latter reason a fervent communion by every member of the family should, so far as possible, take place on the day of consecration. And nothing can be more fruitful than a repetition of this family communion of the day chosen for the monthly renewal of this act before the picture of the Sacred Heart. Where it can be done the first Friday of each month will naturally be set aside for the renewal. How can that day of blessings be better opened than by a family communion, and how can it be better closed than by a repetition of the act of consecration in the family circle?

The devotion is merely a practical application of the wish of Our Divine Saviour. It has the approbation of the Sovereign Pontiffs and of many cardinals, archbishops, and bishops throughout the world. It has wrought wonders of conversion in Catholic homes. It has the pledge of abundant graces and of all the favors of the Sacred Heart which are enumerated in the authentic revelations cited above. It is clearly inspired by the Spirit of God and is most profoundly needed at the present time when the desecration of the home is the crying evil of our day.

To induce others to practice it and to aid poor families by securing for them an inviting picture of this Heart of all love, is a true work of the apostolate of love. What better advice can we give to those who repeat to us the story of their domestic quarrels of unhappiness than to ask them to consecrate their families to the Sacred Heart of the Prince of Peace and to renew this consecration frequently, that it may become a living factor in their daily existence?

The picture selected by us should be exposed in the room where all the members of the family usually meet, that it may always be conspicuously in their sight. Thus laying aside human respect they will openly acknowledge Christ as the King of their home. Under His eyes the little ones will grow up into a noble manhood and womanhood, for His image will constantly serve to keep them in mind of His love and to model their lives upon His. Before it all the great family events will transpire, its joys and its sorrows, and Christ will ever be in their midst where parents and children are united in His name.

The head of each family, the father, or, in his absence, the mother, or the oldest of the children, or whoever may hold the place of authority, should take the initiative in bringing about this consecration. So likewise schools, colleges, asylums, labor associations, convents and institutions of every kind may wisely adopt this practice.

Though the ceremony, according to the customary method, is for the first time performed by the priest in the presence of the entire family, and a ceremonial has even been prepared for the purpose, yet often this can not readily be done and no "secretaryships" may exist to promote the practice. There is then no reason why the head of the family, or whoever holds his place, should not perform the act of consecration while the members of the family unite themselves with him. Let some one at all events recite this consecration and let frequent renewals help to make it living and effective.

Solemnity can be given to the ceremony by placing flowers and lights about the image of the Sacred Heart, and it is well that the picture of Mary's Immaculate Heart and of St. Joseph should not be wanting to complete the religious beauty of that family room. There the angel guardians will rejoice to enter and to dwell. It will be a Christian sanctuary, an oasis of love and purity and joy in the midst of a darksome world. It will above all rejoice the Heart of Christ and give Him reparation for the love that elsewhere is denied Him. He is not to be outdone in generosity.

What greater joy for Christian mothers than frequently to repeat this act and to know that their dear ones are safely hidden and protected in the Heart of Jesus, there to live and there to die?

The following is the act itself, omitting all the ceremonies. Mere words alone do not, of course, suffice; the family should henceforth strive to live in the spirit of this consecration:

Lord Jesus, vouchsafe to visit this home, in the company of Thy sweet Mother, and confer on its inhabitants the graces promised to families especially consecrated to Thy Divine Heart. Thou Thyself, O Saviour of the world, didst solicit, with merciful purposes, the solemn homage of universal love toward the Heart which has so loved men and by whom such ungrateful returns are made to Thee, as Thou hast revealed to Thy servant Margaret Mary.

Therefore this family hastens to Thy call, and in reparation for the apostasy of so many souls by whom Thou art forsaken, proclaims Thee, O Sacred Heart, their amiable Sovereign and consecrates to Thee absolutely their joys, their troubles, and their sadness, the present and the future of this their Home, which is to be henceforth and forever Thine. Bless, then, sweet Jesus, those present and absent, and bless those who, by the will of Heaven, have been snatched away by death.

We beseech Thee, O Loving Heart, through the love of the Virgin Mary, that Thou wouldst establish in this house of Thine the empire of Thy charity; inspire all its inhabitants with Thy spirit of faith, of sanctity and of purity; and win their souls for Thee, leading them away from the world and its foolish vanities. Open, O Lord, the radiant wound of Thy merciful Heart, and keep therein, as in the ark of salvation, all those who belong to Thee for all eternity. May the conquering Heart of Jesus be always loved, blessed, and glorified amongst us. Amen.

Pope Leo XIII -- called devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus a "most excellent form of religion ... "This devotion which we recommend to all will be profitable to all."

Pope Leo XIII -- "In the Sacred Heart there is the symbol and the express image of the Infinite Love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return."

Pope Pius XII -- "His Heart is the natural sign and symbol of His boundless love for the human race."

Pope St. Gregory the Great (604 AD)-- "Learn of the Heart of God in the words of God so that you may ardently long for eternal things."

Pope St. Pius X -- recommended devotion to the Sacred Heart St. Gertrude the Great -- (1256-1302) composed this prayer exemplifying her love: "I salute Thee O Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and vivifying source of eternal life, Infinite Treasury of the Divinity, Ardent Furnace of Divine Love . . ."

St. Catherine of Siena -- loved this devotion (to the Sacred Heart of Jesus) to an extraordinary degree; she made an entire donation of her heart to her Divine Spouse and she obtained the Heart of Jesus in exchange.

St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Bonaventure, St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Philip Neri, St. Francis de Sales, St. Aloysius Gonzaga -- those who have read the lives and works of the saints will be able to see the tender devotion, admiration and adoration these saints had for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. But above all, let us remember the life and the revelations of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque at Paray-Le-Monial. She received, among other things, the following 12 Promises from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

1st Promise -- "I will give to My faithful all the graces necessary in their state of life."

2nd Promise -- "I will establish peace in their homes."

3rd Promise -- "I will comfort them in all their afflictions."

4th Promise -- "I will be their secure refuge in life, and above all in death."

5th Promise -- "I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings."

6th Promise --"Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."

7th Promise -- "Tepid souls shall become fervent."

8th Promise -- "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."

9th Promise -- "I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart shall be
                         exposed and honored."

10th Promise -- "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."

11th Promise -- "Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written
                         in My Heart, never to be effaced."

12th Promise -- "To those who shall communicate on the First Friday, for nine
                         consecutive months, I will grant the grace of final penitence."

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven,
Have mercy on us*
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,*
God, the Holy Ghost,*
Holy Trinity, one God,*
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,*
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mother's womb,*
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,*
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,*
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,*
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,*
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,*
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,*
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,*
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,*
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,*
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,*
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,*
Heart of Jesus, wherein are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,*
Heart of Jesus, wherein dwelleth all the fulness of Godhead*
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased,*
Heart of Jesus, of Whose fulness we have all received,*
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,*
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,*
Heart of Jesus, rich unto all who call upon Thee,*
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,*
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our offenses,*
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches,*
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our iniquities,*
Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death,*
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,*
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,*
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,*
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,*
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,*
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee,*
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,*
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints,*


Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world.
Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.


V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the praise and satisfaction which He offers unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou of Thy great goodness grant them pardon when they seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee for ever and ever. Amen.