This prayer has its origin in the visions of a French nun named Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who lived in the 17th century. According to her biography, in June 1675, Jesus appeared to her and revealed his heart, which was burning with love for all people. He specifically asked her to spread devotion to his sacred heart and to make known his love for humanity. This vision was repeated several times, and Saint Margaret Mary became the foremost advocate for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This prayer of is a profession of faith in the infinite love, mercy, and compassion of Jesus towards humanity. It is a recognition of his divine presence in our lives and a commitment to follow his example of love and self-giving. In this prayer, we declare our desire to participate in the redemption of the world by offering ourselves to the heart of Jesus. By doing so, we unite ourselves to his mission of salvation and renew our faith in his presence in our lives.
The Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a simple but powerful prayer that can be recited anywhere and at any time. It consists of a declaration of our commitment to Jesus, an expression of our love and gratitude towards him, and a request for his help and protection. The prayer begins with an act of faith in the love and mercy of Jesus and a statement of our desire to offer ourselves to him:
“O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I consecrate myself to thee today with all my heart and soul.”
This declaration is followed by an expression of our gratitude for the love and blessings that we have received:
“Gratefully acknowledging thy sovereign power and thy gift of life, I offer myself to thee, today, to be thy instrument of peace and love.”
The prayer then asks for the help and guidance of Jesus in our lives, especially in times of difficulty and temptation:
“Come reign in me, Sacred Heart of Jesus. I give thee my heart, and I pledge my allegiance to thee. With thy grace, I will seek to live a life of love and service to thee and to those whom thou hast placed in my path.”
Finally, the prayer concludes with a plea for protection and for the fulfillment of our hopes and needs:
“May the Holy Spirit enlighten my mind and strengthen my will that I may be ever pleasing to thee. Guard my soul, Sacred Heart of Jesus. May it always be thy dwelling place.”
The Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful reminder of the infinite love and mercy of Jesus towards humanity. By reciting this prayer, we express our devotion to his heart and our commitment to his mission of love and redemption. It is a prayer that can bring comfort and strength in times of difficulty and a source of inspiration in our journey of faith.
In conclusion, the Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful prayer of devotion and dedication to the heart of Jesus. It is a testimony of our faith in his divine presence in our lives and a profession of our commitment to follow his example of love and self-giving. This prayer is a source of comfort and inspiration for Catholics worldwide and a reminder of the infinite love and mercy of Jesus towards humanity.