U.S. bishops consecrate nation to Sacred Heart of Jesus
By GIGI DUNCAN
EWTN News
Orlando, Fla. — The U.S. bishops consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, entrusting the United States to Christ’s merciful love during a solemn Mass as part of their spring plenary assembly. The liturgy took place on the final day of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ spring plenary meeting, during the nation’s 250th anniversary year.
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led the solemn prayer of consecration, placing the moment within a wider historical and theological tradition. He recalled that 127 years earlier, Pope Leo XIII consecrated the human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, presenting the Orlando liturgy as a continuation of that same act of entrustment.
“In that same spirit, we now consecrate the United States of America,” Archbishop Coakley said, noting that Christ “in His own blood has removed all divisions and made of many nations one people of God.” He led repeated invocations throughout the prayer: “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.”
The consecration prayer addressed Christ as the “Desire of Nations and Center of History,” asking Him to bless the United States, heal the nation’s wounds, and bring reconciliation, justice, and peace where they are lacking. It also gave thanks for the blessings bestowed upon the country, affirmed the dignity of every person as a gift from the Creator, and made reparation for offenses against God and human dignity.
The prayer further asked that the Church in the United States be a visible sign of Christ’s presence in the world, pointing “all people to [his] infinite love.” It prayed for peace in families and communities, the reconciliation of broken relationships, the repair of injustices, and the healing of the nation through a deeper union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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.