Pope Leo XIII's Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Of all the devotions in the Church, devotion to the Sacred Heart remains one of the most popular and widespread devotions in the Catholic Church.

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Highlights

By Abigail James
6/9/2021 (3 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart

According to Catholic Culture, the term "Sacred Heart of Jesus" signifies the entire mystery of Jesus Christ, "the totality of his being, and his person considered in its most intimate essiantial."

In 1899, Pope Leo XIII composed an Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Pope witnessed several of the world's horrors and turned to the Sacred Heart. 

In his encyclical, "Annum Sacrum," he wrote, "Hence that abundance of evils which have now for a long time settled upon the world, and which pressingly call upon us to seek for help from Him by whose strength alone they can be driven away. Who can He be but Jesus Christ the Only-begotten Son of God? 'For there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved' (Acts 4:12)."

"Today, behold another blessed and heavenly token is offered to our sight-the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a cross rising from it and shining forth with dazzling splendor amidst flames of love. In that Sacred Heart all our hopes should be placed, and from it the salvation of men is to be confidently besought."

In his letter, he included an Act of Consecration with intent for all the bishops in the world to recite and offer up the human race to the Sacred Heart. 

Here is that beautiful and powerful prayer:

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but, to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee; many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy most Sacred Heart.

Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who even now sit in the shadow of idolatry or Islam, and refuse not Thou to bring them into the light of Thy kingdom. Look, finally, with eyes of pity upon the children of that race, which was for so long a time Thy chosen people; and let Thy Blood, which was once invoked upon them in vengeance, now descend upon them also in a cleansing flood of redemption and eternal life.

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Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation: to it be glory and honour forever. Amen.

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