Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is having its Spring Plenary Assembly in Orlando, Florida from June 10-12. On June 11, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will concelebrate Mass and consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 

You may remember that Fr. Derek Wiechmann had each of the parishes consecrated to the Sacred Heart in 2022 and encouraged family consecrations as well. These consecrations help us to remember that we have been called by God from the world, “set aside” to be holy, in union with that Sacred Heart of Jesus which burns with love for us and is pierced to let mercy and salvation flow out unto the world. These consecrations are meant to be renewed and repeated regularly – often on the Feast of the Sacred Heart (the Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost – June 12th this year), but also perhaps on anniversaries, birthdays, at the celebration of Christ the King (on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time).

 

The consecration of one’s self or family or even nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a pious practice recommended and encouraged by various Popes in the Church. Individual consecrations go back to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who received revelations of the Sacred Heart. Pope Leo XIII consecrated the human race to the Sacred Heart in 1899. About ten years after that, a family consecration prayer was approved and encouraged by Pope Saint Pius X. Pope Pius XI in his encyclical on Christ the King wrote about how the consecration of families and especially nations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a way of recognizing the Kingship of Christ. We humbly acknowledge Christ as our one true authority in Heaven and on Earth. In consecrating our nation to His Sacred Heart, we are seeking to unite our hearts to His, that each of us and especially our leaders may live out that servant leadership of love exemplified by Christ.

 

Parishes around the country are encouraged to join the bishops in celebrating the consecration of our nation to the Sacred Heart. Our daily Mass on Thursday, June 11th will be a Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart and we will join together in the consecration prayer. The St. Mary’s Cathedral in Saint Cloud will have a special Mass at its church at 12:05 p.m. and encourages anyone from the diocese to join them. You can find more information about the consecration itself and prayers or other ways to join in the consecration at the USCCB website (www.usccb.org). If you have not yet consecrated your family to the Sacred Heart, you can receive more information or materials for that by contacting the parish office.

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

 

Peace in Christ,

Father Timothy