This year, we return to an idea as old as the Gospel: That God took to Himself a human heart, a Heart that beats with love and mercy for us. And this is closely connected to the Divine Mercy devotion that, in the mysterious providence of God, has spread fastest and farthest from the United States of America.
Pray the national Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 3-11! Details here.
By Br. Stephen Camara, MIC
As a child, I recall our family breakfast blessing always included a morning offering — a rather long morning offering. I still know every word by heart: “O my God, I offer thee all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus … .”
I didn’t exactly look forward to saying this prayer as a kid. But in retrospect, I am thankful: A whole theology of prayer was expressed in that morning offering. And I can never hear someone casually say “O my God!” without mentally adding more, and true prayer.
Not until age 24, however, as I approached my first vows in the Congregation of Marian Fathers, did I ask my parents, “Was our family consecrated to the Sacred Heart?” They answered: “Yes.” Growing up, we didn’t always talk about the devotion, but we lived it daily.
Historic Consecration
Consecration to the Sacred Heart made an enormous difference in my home and family, and it is about to make an enormous difference in our country — if we live it out.
The bishops of the United States made a historic decision during their general assembly on Nov. 11, 2025. An overwhelming majority voted to consecrate the United States of America, during the 250th anniversary of its founding, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The consecration day will be on June 11, the vigil of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Any national consecration is an historic event. However, in the 250 years of our pioneer nation-turned-superpower’s lifespan, a consecration similar to this has only been made one other time.
The sixth provincial council of Baltimore decided in 1846 to declare the Immaculate Conception the Patroness of the United States. And now, 180 years later, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be united to our country’s devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
The 1846 consecration came eight years before the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was officially defined by Pope Bl. Pius IX, aptly illustrating Americans’ tendency to be early adopters of new ideas and inventions.
Twin Devotions
This year, we return to an idea as old as the Gospel: That God took to Himself a human heart, a Heart that beats with love and mercy for us. And this is closely connected to the Divine Mercy devotion that, in the mysterious providence of God, has spread fastest and farthest from the United States of America.
The fountains of Blood and water, so vividly portrayed in the two distinctive rays of the Divine Mercy Image, flow forth from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
One passage from the Diary of St. Faustina almost exactly mirrors four of the 12 promises of the Sacred Heart devotio that Jesus gave to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. These are:
(4) I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
(6) Sinners will find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
(7) Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
(8) Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
In Diary entry 1520, St. Faustina records Jesus saying:
I have opened My Heart as a living fountain of mercy. Let all souls… approach this sea of mercy with great trust. Sinners will attain justification, and the just will be confirmed in good. Whoever places his trust in My mercy will be filled with My divine peace at the hour of death.
Make the Consecration
As we prepare for this nationwide consecration, I encourage you: Make a personal consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Honor His Image in your home, whether the traditional Sacred Heart Image or a Divine Mercy Image.
Make reparation with the Nine First Fridays or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. And show mercy to others in need, relying always on His Divine Providence.
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