Sacred Heart enthronement | devotion to the Sacred Heart | Feast of the Sacred Heart
This year, the Feast of the Sacred Heart falls on June 12, but on June 11, the United States of America will be Consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the American Catholic Bishops. This great act is a powerful way to seek the Lord anew, as all the Bishops in the United States will pray this Consecration prayer in unity at their annual spring gathering in Orlando, FL.
June 11 also marks 127 years since the world was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1899 by Pope Leo XIII. The world was struggling with the rise of secularism, political unrest, and attacks on the faith when the Holy Father decided to consecrate the world. Now, in honor of America 250, the United States being Consecrated is a reminder that every generation always needs Jesus and an invitation to return to the love, mercy, and kingship of Jesus.
We read in Annum Sacrum, written by Pope Leo XIII, to prepare the people,
“And since there is in the Sacred Heart a symbol..and image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, therefore is it fit and proper that we should consecrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart-an act which is nothing else than an offering and a binding of oneself to Jesus Christ, seeing that whatever honor, veneration and love is given to this divine Heart is really and truly given to Christ Himself.”
The Sacred Heart Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII offers us much insight into why we, as a nation, need to turn our hearts, homes, and land to Jesus Christ and insight into why we need Jesus at this time in history as well.
This year, the Bishops will not only dedicate the country to the Sacred Heart in honor of the 250th anniversary of America, but also advise each parish to offer 250 hours of adoration and works of mercy in honor of the Consecration. As we seek to set our hearts apart from the world, we often need to be reminded of the power of prayer and the actions of love by living out the Works of Mercy. When we do these two things, we can go outside ourselves and keep our eyes on Jesus and others. When we are people of prayer and action, the Lord can readily work through us!
In the last few years, there has been a growing movement and signs of the importance of this devotion, including the 350th anniversary of Jesus appearing to St. Margaret Mary, which lasted 18 months in the Church and concluded on the feast of the Sacred Heart on June 27, 2025. We were blessed when Pope Francis wrote his last encyclical on the Sacred Heart, released in October of 2024, entitled Dilexit Nos/ He Loved Us, and encouraged Catholics to rediscover this beautiful devotion. The Knights of Columbus have been encouraging parishioners to welcome the traveling image of the Sacred Heart in dioceses. Ireland was recently consecrated as a nation and has traveling statues that are meant to renew faith! I continue to witness that parishes and families are working hard to share this love with others, as so many are beginning to recognize the love Jesus offers through the Sacraments, especially through the connection between the Sacred Heart and the Holy Eucharist. This movement is not only led by the Church but also by individuals in a grassroots effort to share Jesus’ love.
There is a rise of consecrations and dedications to the Sacred Heart, in setting ourselves apart from the world and in permitting Jesus to work within our hearts, and, at the same time, in the enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our homes, schools, parishes, and workplaces. This was once an ‘old practice, ' and now it is a common practice among Catholic families who are feeling under spiritual attack. These powerful acts are more than a symbolic movement of belief; they allow the kingdom of God to flood new graces into our lives. When we close the door of evil and welcome the Lord, we will always be blessed with His peace, consolation, love, mercy, and healing. Jesus gives us His heart, so we can, in return, offer our hearts back to Him. The Promises of the Sacred Heart are a powerful way to grow closer to Jesus as well. Our enthronement of the Sacred Heart booklet is called “Let the Light In,” for we know, in Rev. 3:20, that Jesus stands at the door and knocks; it is we who need to respond, let the Lord in, and let the Lord lead us.
As Catholics, we often say the little prayer, “May we love Him more and more.” This prayer can strengthen us when we are struggling in our lives, our marriages, during difficult parenting moments, or even with our health or finances. Jesus desires that we love Him more and more by cultivating a relationship with Him. His love is perfect, and through this love we can be transformed. Jesus desires that we love him more so that we can grow in our trust in the Lord. I hear that for many Catholics, after the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart (which includes the Consecration prayers), the Lord resets the priorities of the individual or family and gives them perspective and strength during hard times. The Lord always wants to pour out graces upon His people and help them to have their hearts renewed!