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| Pope Pius XI |
It is a great shame that this is not done nowadays. We did it this morning before the Blessed Sacrament exposed after the principal Mass here at St Anthony's. I think the prayer manifests a sorrow for those souls who have departed from the Church and faith in Christ together with a yearning on the part of those making the consecration for their return. In other words, this Consecration promotes apostolic zeal. We have lost so many souls. And we just shrug shoulders. The ditching of such customs - mandated by Papal authority - has not helped.
Here is the text of the Consecration:
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them all to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant O Lord, to your 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 honor for ever. Amen.
In the above-mentioned encyclical, Pope Pius points to the good effects that will ensue if leaders govern with the consciousness that their authority comes from God (the tyranny that results when they do not can also be inferred from the Pope's remarks):
If princes and magistrates duly elected are filled with the persuasion that they rule, not by their own right, but by the mandate and in the place of the Divine King, they will exercise their authority piously and wisely, and they will make laws and administer them, having in view the common good and also the human dignity of their subjects... Men will see in their king or in their rulers men like themselves, perhaps unworthy or open to criticism, but they will not on that account refuse obedience if they see reflected in them the authority of Christ God and Man.(n.19)
The Pope describes the manner in which Christ should reign over us:
He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls... (n.33)
Regnare Christum volumus!
Father, the Consecration yesterday was so beautiful. I had never heard of that before, I am so blessed by this, it's exactly what our world needs right now. Thank you so much for bringing back to us so much reverence and awe for the Sacred. I talked to a woman who used to go to the 6:45 Mass, and came to the 11:00, she was struck by the beauty and reverence. Thank you Father John!
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