Bishops consecrate the United States of America to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando, Florida, for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

The feast was first established in France in 1765, but the devotion began in the 1670s with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, V.S.M., who received visions from God. Christ spoke to her, saying, “Behold this Heart which has so loved human beings that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love.”

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred heart is celebrated on the Friday after the Sunday Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood (Corpus Christi). To consecrate means to entrust some person, place, or thing to God, trusting He nourishes it with His grace. 

The devotion to the Sacred Heart is popular, including in Alaska. The Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau has three parishes and one mission dedicated to the Sacred Heart — Seward, Haines, Wasilla, and Hoonah — and the Diocese of Fairbanks’ cathedral is named Sacred Heart as well. But why have the U.S. bishops decided to consecrate the United States?

Deacon Sandon Broek assists Fr. Pat Travers and Fr. Dan Hebert during the consecration Mass at Holy Cross parish in Anchorage. (Levi Livengood / North Star Catholic)

This past May, Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle, former Archbishop of Anchorage, released a letter on the Sacred Heart. In it he states, “The disorder of the world; the divisions within families, communities and even within the Church — these are not just structural or political problems. They begin in the human heart. Devotion to the Sacred Heart speaks directly to this reality… The Sacred Heart is proposed not as a rebuke to our humanity, but as a remedy — the divine response to the wounded human heart.”   

Regarding the consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart, he says, “As a nation soon to be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I ask: What would it look like for us as a nation to live this consecration — mutual love, respect for persons, loving the neighbor, working for peace?” He exhorts families to let the Sacred Heart be a “sure refuge and school of fidelity,” enthroning an image in their homes to remind themselves that the Sacred Heart is the center of family life.  

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimiore delivered a homily at the consecration Mass in Orlando, echoing Archbishop Etienne.

“We are here to put the Church of the United States and our whole nation into the heart of Jesus Christ,” said Archbishop Lori before the many bishops and laypeople in attendance, including Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M. “Consecration is an act of faith.” 

Archbishop Lori spoke about the role Catholics have played in the history of the United States, as well as the past deeds of the country and the nostalgia and anxiety many feel regarding America’s history and future: “The future belongs to God.” He said, “Consecration…is about accepting responsibility for the future.” Archbishop Lori encouraged all American Catholics to embrace hope in Jesus Christ, whose heart “does not divide; it reconciles…This consecration is something we do together.”  

Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, President of the USCCB, led the congregation in praying the prayer of consecration after the homily, recalling Pope Leo XIII’s consecration of all humanity in 1899. Before this, however, he spoke about the necessity for American Catholics to love “with living hearts, not with stony hearts.”

Fr. Pat Travers, the viar general of the archdiocese, celebrated a Mass consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart at Holy Cross parish in Anchorage on June 12. In his homily, he talked about the limitations of an attitude of self-reliance and the necessity to trust in God.

Fr. Pat Travers and Fr. Dan Hebert read the USCCB prayer of consecration during the consecration Mass at Holy Cross parish in Anchorage. (Levi Livengood / North Star Catholic)

Following is the prayer of consecration the USCCB has prepared for Masses consecrating the United States:

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

You know the longings of our hearts,

and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you.

From your pierced side, 

you have poured out the wellspring of

life, for which we thirst.

Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right

relationship with you.

We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation,

founded on the self-evident truths

that our Creator has endowed all people

with the right to life, liberty,

and the pursuit of happiness.

We make reparation for the offenses against you

and against human dignity

that have taken place in this nation.

May our hearts be united to yours,

so that our families and communities

enjoy peace and happiness;

may broken relationships be reconciled,

injustices repaired,

and the wounds of our land be healed.

May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign,

pointing all people to your infinite love.

O Desire of Nations and Center of History,

we ask you to bless these United States of America.

Who live and reign with God the Father

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Deacon Sandon Broek assists Fr. Pat Travers and Fr. Dan Hebert during the consecration Mass at Holy Cross parish in Anchorage. (Levi Livengood / North Star Catholic)