Family Consecration

Page 2 in "Marian Devotions in the Domestic Church"

Catherine Fournier and Peter Fournier

"The solemn blessing dedicating a person, a place or a thing to the service of God"—Concise Catholic Dictionary, compiled by Robert C. Broderick, M.A. (St. Paul. Minn.: Catechetical Guild Society, 1944). 

In his letter to families entitled Familiaris Consortio, Pope John Paul II describes the incredible potential and divine mystery of each family created through the sacrament of marriage. Families, he says, are "the cradle and the setting" of the Church. The people of the Church spring from the family, and the family is the recipient of the spiritual nurturing, protection, and teaching of the Church. 

The Pope tells families that in their foundation and action they are dedicated to creating, nurturing, and benefiting the community of saints and the greater glory of God. We do not marry or have children for our own purposes; we enter into marriage as our vocation, our way of serving God in our lives. We commit to serving God through our families and helping each other achieve heaven. (See CCC no. 1601.) 

A family consecration brings this (perhaps unspoken) desire to life. As the definition above explains, it solemnly blesses and dedicates the members of the family to the service of God, expressing their love, trust, and faith in His protection. It should not be taken lightly. Careful consideration, discussion, and explanation (especially to the younger members of the family) are important. 

Like the consecration of a building or the Consecration at Mass, a family consecration requires preparation, both spiritual and physical. 

"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" (CCC no. 2559, quoting St. 

John Damascene, Defide orth. 3, 24: PG 94, 1089C). Our prayers are songs of praise, statements of intent, and requests for assistance. And because we are fallible and sinful, we need to pray often to refresh and renew our desire and determination to follow God. 

For this reason, while a family consecration could be a single event in the life of the family, it is best repeated yearly. As the children of the family grow, their understanding of this prayer and devotion will mature and deepen. 

There are many prayers of consecration that can help to consecrate the family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or to the Holy Family. A few of the many possibilities follow. 

Plan to make the consecration on a special day, preferably on a feast day (of our Lady if you are making a consecration to Mary), though the anniversary of your wedding or your entrance into the Church if you are a convert would also be appropriate. Discuss the meaning and importance of your family consecration and the day you have chosen with your children. Since a consecration is a statement of intent, they should not be passive participants. Encourage them to ask questions, make suggestions, and add their special petitions and intentions to those of the family.

As a family, make a small act of penance on the day of the consecration. This can be whatever you wish according to the abilities and capacities of the family: a fast; an alms offering; the lighting of a candle; making a pilgrimage to a Marian shrine; or some other action in honor of our Lady, her Son, or our Heavenly Father. If at all possible, go to confession and attend Mass on this day as well. 

Be sure to place some remembrance of your family consecration in your home. Consider hanging an icon or other holy picture over your family altar or placing a statue on the altar or somewhere else in the home.