Confraternities and archconfraternities
Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Hour of Presence to the Heart of Jesus · Archconfraternity of the Guard of Honor · Garde d'Honneur du Sacre Coeur
Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart Bernaud founded it in 1863St Margaret Mary Alacoque one of its models
Universal public association of the faithful, headquartered at the Monastery of the Visitation at Paray-le-Monial, France. Statutes approved by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, protocol 1640/08/S-61/B-1, Vatican, 27 October 2008. US centre is a Visitation monastery, national director Fr Sean O'Mannion.Members in over thirty countries, including several Popes, clergy, religious and laity. No total published.
Open to anyone, today
Free online form. Article 14 of the statutes states: 'No dues or monies are ever requested of members.' A donation button is offered and the handbook may be purchased, both optional.
Enroll nowChoose your hour from the site's 'Dial' page, fill in the registration form, click the small send button, and a Sister of the Visitation emails your confirmation, usually within about 72 hours.
Members have a portal to sign in to.
This is probably the gentlest commitment of any association on this list. You pick one hour of your ordinary day, the same hour every day, and during it you simply keep Jesus company in your mind, offering him whatever you happen to be doing. You do not change your work, you do not have to be in a church, and you do not have to pray during it. The hour is called the Hour of Guard or Hour of Presence, and the idea is that between all the members every hour of every day is covered by somebody. You may also choose a second, optional Hour of Mercy offered for one particular person or family. Nothing in it binds under sin.
Where it comes from
13 March 1863, at the Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary at Bourg-en-Bresse, France, through the work of Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart Bernaud
What you promise
Choose one hour of the day and keep it faithfully, offering to Jesus the thoughts, words, actions and sufferings of that hour. Be admitted by an authorised person and have your first and last name entered in the Register. Members are strongly recommended to attend the First Friday Mass, to receive Communion frequently, to prepare for the feast of the Sacred Heart with a novena or triduum, to make the monthly Holy Hour, and on Good Friday at around four in the afternoon to gather in spirit at the foot of the Cross. The statutes state plainly: 'None of the duties or obligations binds under pain of sin.'
What the Church attaches
A plenary indulgence under the ordinary conditions, granted by decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary dated 21 January 2008 and given perpetual force, obtainable on the day of enrollment, on the day of first consecration to the Sacred Heart and its anniversaries, and on the feasts of the Sacred Heart, Christ the King, the Immaculate Heart, Our Lady of Sorrows, St Joseph, St John the Apostle, St Mary Magdalen, St Francis de Sales and St Margaret Mary Alacoque. A Mass is celebrated by the General Director on every First Friday for all living members and on every second Friday for all deceased members, and may be celebrated on the same terms by every National, Diocesan or Local Director. A Mass is offered for any Director on news of their death.
Something physical is involved
A certificate of admission is issued as soon as possible to each member and is to be signed by the member. Member names are entered in the Register and may also be written around the Heart of Jesus on the Association's Dial where one is displayed.
Enrollment checked 2026-10-22. Details change without notice and parish practice varies. Confirm before relying on this sheet.