How might you help a nation in political turmoil celebrate its 250th anniversary and the unlikely creation of the first large-scale, self-governing republic in the modern world?
Dedicate it to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – as the U.S. bishops will do for the United States of America on Thursday, June 11, marking the first such formal consecration of the country to Christ's heart.
The prelates made the decision to do this during a Nov. 11, 2025, session of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' fall plenary assembly in Baltimore – and while they were singularly focused on an exceptional gesture to mark our country's semiquincentennial, the consecration still probably can't come at a better time.
According to a CNN/SSRS poll released April 3, Americans are divided by intense levels of cynicism. A full 77% of Americans, the Pew Research Center reported April 15, think the nation's political system needs major changes or complete reform.
Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Ore., who chairs the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, said there are three essential reasons for the consecration.
First, "to place our nation under the kingship of Christ," he said. "No civil society can long endure without being under the kingship of Christ Himself; to place ourselves under God's providence and care."
Second, Archbishop Sample noted "there's a certain reparation aspect to the Sacred Heart…. Part of the consecration is to make reparation for offenses against God; against the heart of Christ."
Finally, "there's this desire, through this consecration, to also call us to have a greater heart for the poor and the suffering … as we honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we can't just honor it as a private devotion. It has to move us, and move our hearts."
Emily Schumacher-Novak – associate director of Education and Outreach at the USCCB's Secretariat of Justice and Peace – said the June 11 consecration is accompanied by an abundance of USCCB resources, including a prayer and downloadable prayer card; a Novena to the Sacred Heart (June 3-11); a ceremony to enthrone the Sacred Heart in the home; consecration resources for parishes; materials from the Knights of Columbus and the Pope's Prayer Network; and the "We Hold These Truths – America 250" article and video series, which feature the contributions of Catholics to the United States.
We are also offering a resource that invites people to do 250 hours of Adoration and 250 works of mercy," Schumaker-Novak said.
The national consecration – at Mary, Queen of the Universe Basilica in Orlando, Fla. – will be livestreamed via the USCCB homepage on June 11.
"As the bishops of the United States do the consecration of the whole nation to the heart of Christ, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we're also encouraging local communities to do the same – especially in our families and in our dioceses," concluded Archbishop Sample, “so we're sort of doing it on all levels, so to speak, to really make this a meaningful moment in the light of the Church here in this great and blessed land."
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