As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The consecration takes place June 11th, the closing day of the Bishops’ spring assembly, which falls on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The bishops invite Catholic parishes to join the consecration in various ways, especially by joining them in praying for the unity and healing of our country.  “As we reflect with gratitude on the blessings God has bestowed on our country, our devotion to the Sacred Heart demands that we consider how we might foster truth, justice, and charity in American life,” Archbishop of Portland, Ore. Alexander K. Sample said in a reflection posted on the USCCB website.

“We are called to bring our faith into the actions we take and the lives we lead in our communities. We celebrate the ways the Church has contributed to a more just world, and we invite all in our society to see the face of Christ reflected in each sister and brother,” said the archbishop, who chairs the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty.  “This anniversary and consecration will be a great opportunity to promote the beautiful devotion to the Sacred Heart and to encourage the laity to offer their lives in service to God and their country,” he added.
The devotion’s current form dates back to 17^th century France, when Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary had visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus over an 18-month period. In her vision, Jesus told Sister Margaret Mary to promote a feast of the Sacred Heart and gave her 12 promises to all who venerated the Sacred Heart and promoted devotion to it. According to Catholic News Agency, related devotions include a Holy Hour on Thursdays and the reception of the Holy Eucharist on the first Friday of every month.  Blessed Pope Pius IX made the Feast of the Sacred Heart universal in 1856.

 

At St. Paul’s, we will be participating in 250 hours of adoration together by offering a Holy Hour on a weekly basis leading up to the July 4th anniversary.  While 250 hours seems like a lot, each person present constitutes an hour prayed. The historic church will be open for Adoration every Friday during the month of June in addition to our usual Thursday evening Adoration from 6:00 – 7:30 PM in the Main Church. There will be a sign in sheet available for everyone to log their hours so we can send our total to the USCCB.

Our Holy Hours will be dedicated as follows:

June 4th and 5th – Holy Hour for Peace

June 11th and 12th – Holy Hour for Religious Liberty

June 18th and 19th – Holy Hour for Life

June 25th and 26th – Holy Hour for Vocations

July 2nd – Sacred Heart Holy Hour

In his encyclical, Dilexit nos, Pope Francis instructed us to “nourish our lives with the strength of the Eucharist” in Holy Communion and Adoration, so that we might understand Christ’s love for all more deeply and live out this love ourselves. Our contemplation of the Sacred Heart leads us deeper into the mystery of our salvation and deeper into our love for Christ found in the faces of our sisters and brothers—especially those most in need. Please help us reach our goal.