“There is in the Sacred Heart a symbol and a sensible image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, therefore is it fit and proper that we should consecrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart - an act which is nothing else than an offering and a binding of oneself to Jesus Christ.”
~Pope Leo XIII, Annum Sacrum
In the 17th Century, Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque with the request to spread devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, the “symbol and sensible image” of His love. Although devotion to the Sacred Heart had been practiced before this time, the visions of St. Margaret brought particular emphasis to it, and the special requests of our Lord to her were honored by the Church: a solemn feast day was instituted for the Sacred Heart (celebrated this year on June 28), and the practice of First Fridays spread among the faithful.
What are First Fridays? Our Lord said to St. Margaret, "I promise you in the unfathomable mercy of my heart that my omnipotent love will procure the grace of final penitence for all those who receive communion on nine successive first Fridays of the month; they will not die in my disfavor, or without having received the sacraments, since my divine heart will be their sure refuge in the last moments of their life."
Here's how to participate in this devotion:
Receive holy Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays.
Have the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of reaching final perseverance.
Offer each holy Communion as an act of atonement for offenses against the Blessed Sacrament.
Enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Your Home Enthronement Kits available after 9 AM Mass on First Fridays Bring devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus into your homes, your "domestic churches". Enthronement kits will be available on every First Friday for the nine First Fridays of this year. To cover the cost of materials, there is a suggested donation of $10 for the Enthronement Kit. Bottles for Holy Water are also available for a suggested donation of $1.
What’s in the kit? An image and certificate of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which has been blessed and signed by Fr. McDaniel, Prayer of Consecration, and House Blessing
If you already have an image, please bring it to church on First Fridays for a blessing from Father and for a copy of the Consecration Prayer.
To enthrone the Sacred Heart in your home, have all family members sign the blessed image. The Spiritual Leader of the family, usually the father (or individual) places the image in a prominent place in the home. All members then pray the Consecration to the Sacred Heart. The prayer takes about one minute to pray and should be prayed daily as a family.
Promises of the Sacred Heart 1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life. 2. I will give peace in their families. 3. I will console them in all their troubles. 4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in death. 5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings. 6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy. 7. Tepid souls shall become fervent. 8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection. 9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated. 10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts. 11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my Heart. 12. In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.