Parishes, faithful encouraged to join in consecration

While all of western N.D. will be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Nov. 24 by Bishop Kagan, all parishes are asked to join in the same enthronement at one Mass during the weekend of November 23-24. In addition, individuals and families are encouraged to enthrone the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts in their homes.

The first step is to prepare with special prayers that begin three days before the consecration. On the day of consecration, blessed images of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts (pictures or statues) are enthroned in a home or parish church, followed by the consecration itself. Complete instructions can be found here.

“We are taking this message from Christ to the heart of society: the family,” said Michelle Duppong, coordinator of the Year of Faith for the Bismarck Diocese. “People will not become Christian if Christians do not live differently from everyone else. Christians should be marked by their joy and charity. This happens through being transformed by friendship with Jesus Christ.”

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began in the late 1600s when Jesus repeatedly appeared to a nun in France, Saint Mary Margaret Alacoque. During the apparitions, Jesus revealed to her His Sacred Heart and asked that devotion to it be spread throughout the world.

“The multitude of graces our Lord will pour upon His faithful that draw near to His and His Mother’s Hearts are unfathomable,” said Duppong, adding that every person can and should strive for holiness in simple, everyday life.

For more information on how to consecrate your home, click here or contact Deacon Doug Helbing, 701-400-0233 or [email protected].