Catholic Proofs Forum

It is, again, recommended to have Mass celebrated for the intentions of the family the day of the Enthronement, or at least to attend Mass as a Family and to receive Holy Communion (at least the Sunday before).

The place reserved for the image is set up as a small altar. The image of the Sacred Heart is prepared on another table covered in white with candles and flowers. A small bottle of holy water is also prepared.

Blessing of the House or Apartment
(ad libitum)

At the set hour, parents, children, and friends assemble in the main room of the house for the ceremony. If the house is not yet blessed, the priest, in surplice and white stole, first blesses it.
V. Adjutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini.
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram.
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus.

Bene dic Domine, Deus omni-potens, domum istam; ut sit in ea sanitas, castitas, victoria, virtus, humilitas, bonitas, et mansuetudo, plenitudo legis, et gratiarum actio Deo Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto; et haec benedictio maneat semper super hanc domum et super habitantes in ea nunc et in omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made Heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.

O Lord God Almighty, bless this house. In it may there be health, chastity, victory over sin, strength, humility, goodness of heart and gentleness, full observance of Thy law and gratefulness to God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. And may this blessing remain upon this house and upon those who live here, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessing of the Images (Statues) of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart

When it is impossible to have a priest present, the images are blessed beforehand. The family kneels before the images. The priest, in surplice and white stole, begins by the blessing.

V. Adjutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini.
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram.
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui Sanctorum tuorum imagines sculpi aut pingi non reprobas, ut quoties illas oculis corporis intuemur, toties eorum actus et sanctitatem ad imitandum memoriae oculis meditemur, hanc quaesumus, imaginem (seu sculpturam) in honorem et memoriam Sacratissimi Cordis Unigeniti Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi, adaptam 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 eundeum Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Ultimo aspergat aqua benedicta.

V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made Heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.

Almighty, everlasting God, Thou dost not forbid us to represent Thy saints in stone or paint, so that, as often as we look upon their likenesses with the eyes of the body, we may with the eyes of the mind meditate upon their holiness and be led to imitate their deeds. In Thy kindness, we beg Thee to bless and sanctify these pictures (statues), meant to honor and call to mind the Most Sacred Heart of Thy only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, His Most Holy Mother. May all who in their presence humbly strive to serve and honor Thy only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Their merits and intercession gain from Thee grace in the present life and eternal glory in the life to come. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Then the priest sprinkles the images with holy water.

Enthronement of the Images

Then the head of the family sets up the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a place of honor, in order to render homage to the Reign of the Love of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary which is everywhere so unknown.

Recitation of  ‘The Creed’

After the blessing, in order to give explicit expression to the faith of the family, all recite the Apostles’ Creed out loud and standing.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

Address of the Priest

Everyone is seated while the priest addresses a few words to those present. He recalls:

* The signification of the Enthronement;
* The Christian life of obedience, confidence and love that the Sacred Hearts await from the families who have given   Jesus and Mary this honor;
* The special and abundant blessings which are given to those families faithful to their promises to Jesus and Mary;
* The family’s promise to renew frequently its consecrations, especially during the evening prayers.