I have completed eight months of Sacred Heart Friday posts! Some fine, some perhaps not so much; those latter were typically during a week where despite all the reminders I set up, I forgot to get a Round Tuit and write something. But even those were hopefully edifying in some. You never know how something will be received.

Or, as in the case of these past few weeks, distracted because of a major project I’m working on that I’ll tell you about soon.

On this day, the First Friday of September, I offer a simple post that’s a reminder for you of self-consecration to the Sacred Heart. The following is a prayer written by “The Apostle of the Sacred Heart,” St. Margaret Mary Alacoque expressly for that purpose:

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Amen.


 from “The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: How to Practice the Sacred Heart Devotion” by Fr. John Croiset 

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