Key facts
- US Catholic bishops are consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- The service marks the 250th anniversary of the United States.
- The devotion symbolizes Jesus' sacrificial love for humanity.
- The event aims to promote service to God, country, and the needy.
- Similar consecrations have occurred in other countries, beginning in Ecuador in 1874.
US Catholic bishops are set to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Thursday, a significant religious observance coinciding with the United States' 250th anniversary. This act draws from a long-standing Catholic devotion that emphasizes Jesus' sacrificial love for humanity and has been practiced in various forms by individuals and in other countries.
The service, part of the bishops’ spring assembly in Orlando, Florida, is intended to encourage a focus on serving God, the nation, and those in need. Archbishop Alexander Sample, chair of the bishops’ committee on religious liberty, stated that the devotion calls for fostering truth, justice, and charity within American society.
While this is the first such national consecration by US Catholic leaders, the practice has historical precedents. Bishops in several European and Latin American countries have previously dedicated their lands to the Sacred Heart, a tradition that began in Ecuador in 1874. Pope Leo XIII also consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart in 1899.
However, the devotion to the Sacred Heart has also been associated with political controversy. In some instances, it has been linked to Catholic nationalism, while in others, it has been promoted as a counter to state idolatry. A recent French film exploring the devotion's origins faced criticism for potentially advancing a political agenda focused on reaffirming France's Christian identity. Similarly, a Republican candidate for Florida governor consecrated his campaign to the Sacred Heart.
Catholic scholar Robert Fastiggi suggests that the US bishops' consecration can serve as a unifying gesture in a polarized era, emphasizing accountability to divine law and love rather than idolizing the state. The modern form of the devotion originated in the 17th century with the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and was further promoted by Pope Leo XIII after a German nun, Blessed Marie of the Divine Heart, urged him to consecrate the world.