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Enthroning the Bible in the Family 

There is an intimate connection between the Word and the Eucharist. Blessed James Alberione teaches

that the same devotion to the Eucharist be given also to the Gospel. “The Divine Master in order to unite

to himsel! the whole man gave us his teaching and himsel!" the Gospel and the Eucharist.# $ndeed the

Gospel and the Eucharist which are organicall% united are tremendous e&pressions o! 'hrist(s sel!)revelation and sel!)giving. A Bible Enthronement ceremon% in %our home is a great reminder that God is

 present and active through his word. $t entails enthroning the Bible the Word o! God in a visible place

in their homes. *lacing the +acred +criptures in a prominent place the !amil% or parish ma% gather at thisspot !or dail% pra%er Lectio Divina or the ,iturg% o! the -ours.

Enthroning the Bible in %our home is eas%. +impl% pic a place where the Bible can be honored. TheBible should be placed where it will be seen regularl% but the location should be apart !rom the noise

and con!usion o! the !amil% entertainment. *repare a shel! or table where the Bible will be placed /the

shel! ma% be adorned with a cloth and candles0. *lace the Bible opened to a !avorite passage or thereadings o! the da% /these can be !ound at www.usccb.org1nab0.

2se the !ollowing ritual pra%er when %ou gather as a !amil% to enthrone the Bible.

Ritual for Enthroning the Bible in the Home or Parish

When possible the ritual ma% start outside the main door to the house or outside the main entrance to theroom. 3ne member o! the !amil% holds the Bible raised slightl%. The !ather mother or leader begins the

celebration with this opening litan%"

Leader: 3ur ,ord Jesus 'hrist %ou are the Word o! the 4ather.

Response: 'ome ,ord Jesus come.

Leader: 5ou became one with us to tell o! the 4ather(s love.

Response: 'ome ,ord Jesus come.

Leader: 5ou are the light that shines in the darness.

Response: 'ome ,ord Jesus come.

Leader: 5ou save us !rom !ear and brea the bonds o! sin and death.

Response: 'ome ,ord Jesus come.

Leader: 5ou come to guide our steps and lead us to God.

Response: 'ome ,ord Jesus come.

Leader: 5ou are the Word o! eternal li!e.

Response: 'ome ,ord Jesus come.

Leader: 5ou !ill us with the -ol% +pirit.

Response: 'ome ,ord Jesus come.

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As ever%one enters the house or room the% ma% sing a suitable song. Then one o! the !ollowing

+cripture passages is read from the Bible"

Matthew 4:17-! Jesus calls and heals through the power o! his Word.

Mar" 4:1-# The Word is lie the seed.

Lu"e 4:14-1 Jesus proclaims the Word in 6a7areth.$ohn 1:1#-14 Jesus is the Word o! God and the light o! the world.

A!ter the reading the leader pla%es the Bible in the place prepared !or it.

&ll bow deepl% be!ore the enthroned Bible.

Leader: We have heard %our words Jesus. The% give us 8o% and bring light and truth into our lives. 5our 

 presence gives us peace in our troubled and divided world. ,et %our Word create in our hearts a deepdesire !or %ou. Be with us in our hearts and homes in our communit% and countr%. Give us %our -ol%

+pirit to help us to understand %our Word. With Mar% we mediate on %our Word and treasure it in our

hearts. We now enthrone this -ol% Bible %our living Word /-eb. 9":;0. Mae %our Word the center o!

our lives. Ma% %our Word inspire all that we thin and sa% and do. Ma% %our Word bind us together inunit% with each other and with %ou toda% and !orever.

Response: Amen

All 8oin in sa%ing the Lord's Pra(er.

Pra( together or repeat a!ter the ,eader"

We promise to respect the Word o! God in our midst.We shall read and re!lect on it as a !amil% o! God.

Ma% we draw !rom it inspiration !or our decisions strength !or our wor and com!ort in su!!ering.

Jesus help us to be !aith!ul to our promise %ou who live !orever and ever. Amen.

The celebration concludes with a sign of pea%e.

Ma% Jesus Master alwa%s belight com!ort grace and blessing.

Gospel Eucharist *aradise. Blessed James Alberione, S.S.P.

Adapted !rom

Enthroning the Bible in the 4amil% b% *auline *ublications A!rica

+r. Margaret Mar% Tapang *.D.D.M. The Centrality of the Word and Echarist in the Life of the Paline !amil %

< Daughters o! +t. *aul