King of the Campus: The Sacred Heart and Benedictine College

“This is one of the most important gatherings of our lives,” President Stephen D. Minnis said on Oct. 30, 2016.

That was the day the college enthroned the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the center of Benedictine College’s campus.

“By the Enthronement we proclaim Jesus as King who rules over us through love — but He is more like a Father than a ruler,” said President Minnis. “He becomes our generous Provider, our Friend, our Guide, our Counselor, our spiritual Physician, and our constant Companion on the journey.”

For June 23, 2017, the first Feast of the Sacred Heart since the Enthronement, we present the prayers the college made on that day.

Certificate of Enthronement

“Lord Jesus, today, October 30, 2016, we the students, faculty, staff and administrators of Benedictine College have lovingly enthroned you as Lord and friend of our ‘school in the Lord’s service.’ Preferring nothing whatsoever to Christ, we freely make a covenant of love with you, dedicating ourselves faithfully to your Divine Heart. We entrust the fulfillment of our covenant to the Immaculate Heart of your mother and to St. Joseph, head of the Holy Family and our protector. We promise to do our best to honor your Divine Heart through regular reception of the sacraments, prayer and sacrifice. We pledge ourselves, henceforth, to be ‘committed to the beauty and mystery of the Catholic faith as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and handed down through the teachings of the Church.’”

(Signed by Abbot James R. Albers OSB, Sister Anne Shepard OSB, and Stephen D. Minnis)

Prayer of Sister Ann Shepard, Prioress of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery

“O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are assembled here today as a special family to proclaim Your protection for all students, faculty, administrators, parents, and benefactors of Benedictine College.

“In this special family we want to grow in virtue, especially those which are so pleasing to you and which You promised would bring peace on earth.

“Jesus, we ask you to preside over our gatherings, to bless our every action, to ward off all dangers, to sanctify our joys and to lighten our sufferings.

“And when Benedictine College, its families, faculty, associates and benefactors are faced with tragedy of any kind, even death, we shall be comforted to know that the day will come when, as St. Benedict says, God will bring us all together to everlasting life.

“Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!”

 Prayer of Abbot James Albers, St. Benedict’s Abbey

“We thank You, Lord Jesus, for all the gifts You have granted to us through the merciful love of Your Sacred Heart.  We are truly grateful for Your gift of life and faith.  We thank You for the gift of our parents and teachers.  We also thank You for the gift of the priesthood, religious life, and all the other Sacraments, which increase Your Divine Life in us. We thank You for the gift of Your Blessed Mother, whom You have given to us as our Mother and our Queen.

“Above all, good Jesus, we are grateful for the greatest gift of Your Loving Heart:  the gift of Yourself – in the crib, on the cross, and in the Holy Eucharist.

“We thank You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for all those who have made this institution possible.  Finally, O Lord, we thank You for coming into our gatherings as we share our lives with each other.

“May You, Jesus, be forever loved and glorified. Thy Kingdom come!”

Renewal of the Consecration of Benedictine College to the Blessed Virgin Mary

“As part of the enthronement, Our Holy Father has urged all to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Therefore, let this institution, which formally consecrated itself to the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8, 2013, honor her with this prayer,” said Abbot James Albers.

“Queen of the most Holy Rosary, and tender Mother of the Church, we consecrate Benedictine College to you and to your Immaculate Heart, and place in your loving care our special family, our personal families, and families throughout our country.

“Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use this Institution to accomplish your designs upon the world. O Spouse of the Holy Spirit, kindle in our hearts, Institution, and homes the love of purity, the practice of true Christian charity, and the courage to witness our Faith even at the cost of ridicule and suffering.

“Make our hearts and our College into your shrines.  And through us make the Heart of Jesus rule and triumph in every institution and family in the world.  Amen.”