The bishops of the United States have voted to consecrate their country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
At their annual plenary assembly in Baltimore on 11 November, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved the proposal by 215 votes to 8, with seven abstentions.
There has been no public explanation for the eight dissenting votes, although it is alleged that the objections arose from ecumenical concerns.
The act of consecration will take place in June 2026 and conclude on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which falls on 12 June that year.
In a message posted on X, the USCCB said the bishops would accompany the consecration with a novena and prayer resources. “Through this act of consecration,” the statement read, “the bishops seek to renew devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to recognise the kingship of Christ, perfecting the temporal order with the spirit of the Gospel.”
Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne–South Bend, Indiana, who chairs the USCCB Committee on Religious Liberty, presented the proposal. He explained that the initiative would be supported by a podcast series and other media “that profile Catholics who, in varying ways, reveal the experience of Catholicism in America.”
He added that these reflections would be paired with teaching materials on the Church’s contribution to national life, particularly in education, healthcare, and the Catholic immigrant story, and on “authentic patriotism” rooted in faith.
The bishops are also encouraging dioceses to involve the faithful by promoting acts of devotion linked to the anniversary, such as 250 hours of Eucharistic adoration or 250 works of mercy. Bishop Rhoades said the initiative aims to deepen national appreciation for the Sacred Heart as a symbol of divine love and unity.
The bishop recalled that in 1925 Pope Pius XI established the Feast of Christ the King and spoke of consecrating families and nations to the Sacred Heart as a means of acknowledging Christ’s kingship.
Bishop Rhoades concluded that the consecration offered an opportunity to promote renewed devotion and to remind the faithful of their task “to serve our nation by perfecting the temporal order with the spirit of the Gospel,” echoing the call of the Second Vatican Council.
.jpg)
