There are several ways to consecrate your home to Jesus
According to the Directory on Popular Piety, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is “one of the most widespread and beloved expressions of the Church”.
It is a deeply Christocentric practice, which has been fostered by countless saints over the centuries. In the light of Sacred Scripture the expression ‘Heart of Christ’ designates the mystery of Jesus, the totality of his being , his person, which is considered the most intimate and essential nucleus: Son of God, Unmasked wisdom, charity infinite, principle of salvation and sanctification for all mankind. The “Heart of Christ” is Christ, the Incarnate and Savior Word, intrinsically offered in the Spirit, with infinite divine-human love of the Father and of men, his brothers. “
Among the many devotions related to the Sacred Heart is the “enthronement” or “consecration” of the houses (and the hearts of their inhabitants) to Jesus. In particular, Jesus promised St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: “I will bless homes where an image of My Heart is exposed and venerated.”
Over time, the Church has developed various types of enthronement, whose rite turns the placement of the image into a more formal and spiritual event. The Pope’s World Network of Prayer (Prayer Apostolate) has its own service of family consecration prayer, which is in Father James Kubicki’s book A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus [ rediscovering devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus “]. In addition to the prayer service, Father Kubicki presents a captivating story about devotion to the Sacred Heart and why it is relevant to this day.
During the last few years, Father Michael Gaitley has joined this cause and developed his own program, called “Comforting the Heart of Jesus.” The work includes a great retreat designed to bring people closer to the heart of Jesus and ends with a consecration to the Sacred Heart.
Another promoter of the Sacred Heart is Cardinal Raymond Burke, who compiled a liturgical celebration of enthronement in his book The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus . The book also features a basic introduction to the ancient custom and offers a detailed instruction on how to prepare spiritually for enthronement.
In addition, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote a personal prayer of consecration which can be used when family members consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart:
I surrender to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, consecrate – without reservation – my person, my life, my works, my pains and sufferings. This is my immutable purpose: to be eternally His and to do all things for His love. At the same time, I renounce with all my heart that which displeases Him.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I want to have you as the only object of my love. Be my protector in this life and the guarantee of eternal life. Be strong in my weakness and iniquity. Heart full of goodness, be to me the refuge at the hour of my death and my intercessor before God the Father. Turn from me the punishment of just anger. Heart of love, in You I place all my trust. Take away from me, Lord, everything that displeases you or can turn me away from you. May your love imprint itself so deeply in my heart that I will never be able to forget you and separate myself from you.
My Lord and Savior, I beg you, for the love you have in me, may my name be engraved in your Sacred Heart; may my happiness and my glory be to live and die at Your service. Amen
Whichever way you use to consecrate your home to the Sacred Heart, the emphasis should be on spiritual preparation. It is not simply an activity in which you place the image of Jesus in a prominent place. In a similar way to consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, focus on joining your heart to that of Jesus, so that you are connected to Him in all things.
Source: pt.aleteia.org
