Ecuador has renewed its historic consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, first carried out 150 years ago.
Archbishop Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus of Quito offered a solemn Mass at the start of Holy Week in the Basilica of the National Vow in the Ecuadorian capital, where the original painting showing the consecration of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is kept, <a href="https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2024/03/27/everything-is-yours-ecuador-renews-its-consecration-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">reports</mark></a> <em>Catholic World Report</em>.
The ceremony, concelebrated by various bishops and priests, was also attended by civil and ecclesial authorities.
According to the <a href="https://www.arquidiocesisdequito.com.ec/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=858&Itemid=180"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">archdiocesan website</mark></a>, Espinoza explained that the renewal is “a gift that makes us raise our hearts grateful to the Lord of life”.
“Today let us renew our trust in the Lord. We know that the final victory does not belong to those who kill, nor will our lives be safe by allying ourselves with the powerful of this world. Given what we are experiencing today, let us not despair,” Espinoza said.
In his homily, the archbishop condemned the violence, corruption and drug trafficking that has plagued the country. Given the current situation, the archbishop emphasised, it is necessary “to renew our consecration, to say once and for all: Everything is yours; save Ecuador!”
The history of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began in the 16th century, after which it soon reached Ecuador, <a href="https://www.iec2024.ec/en/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">notes</mark></a> the communications office of the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress Quito 2024.
This eventually led to the historic consecration of Ecuador on 25 March 1874, carried out by order of the country’s president at the time, <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/catholic-action-the-president-who-transformed-ecuador/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Gabriel García Moreno</mark></a>, with the support of the Vatican along with that of the then-archbishop of Quito, José Ignacio Checa y Barba.
Ecuador thus became the first country in the world consecrated to the Sacred Heart. In 1884, it also became the first country where a national Eucharistic congress was held.<br><br>The renewal of Ecuador's historic consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus occurs against a backdrop of the predominantly Catholic country <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/tens-of-thousands-protest-abortion-and-gay-marriage-in-ecuador/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">wrestling with culture war issues</mark></a> such as abortion and gay marriage.
The next International Eucharistic Congress will be held 8–15 September 2024 in Quito, and there are reports that Pope Francis could once again <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/pope-francis-arrives-in-ecuador-as-a-witness-of-gods-mercy/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">visit Ecuador</mark></a> to attend the closing Mass for the congress. <br><br><em>Photo: Screenshot from Archdiocese of Quito <mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color"><a href="https://www.arquidiocesisdequito.com.ec/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=858&Itemid=180">website</a> </mark>showing an order of service for the Mass renewing Ecuador's historic consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. </em>
<em>This story </em><a href="https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/103693/semana-santa-2024-ecuador-renueva-consagracion-al-sagrado-corazon-de-jesus-de-1874"><em><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">was first published</mark></em></a><em> by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.</em>
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