USA: Bishops to consecrate America to Sacred Heart of Jesus for 250th anniversary + Novena

Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Altar of the Sacred Heart, mosaic. The painting for the mosaic was by Carlo Muccioli in 1919-20.Wiki Image

Source: Radio Maria

On June 11, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the US bishops (USCCB) will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Catholics around the country are encouraged to join the bishops in celebrating the consecration of their nation to the Sacred Heart.

The act of consecration initiative will be celebrated by the USCCB during its 2026 Spring Plenary Assembly in Orlando, Florida on June 10-12. As part of the assembly, the bishops will concelebrate Mass and consecrate the US to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Parishes and individual Catholics are being invited to take part through 250 hours of Adoration and/or 250 Works of Mercy or to pray the Sacred Heart novena in preparation for the consecration.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart has deep historical roots, but the feast was officially established by Pope Pius IX in 1856. The devotion itself began to take shape in the 17th century through the mystical experiences of St Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun.

Between 1673 and 1675, St Margaret Mary received several visions of Jesus, in which He revealed His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His burning love for humanity. Jesus expressed His desire that the Church honor His Heart publicly and make reparations for the indifference and offenses committed against him.

Jesus gave 12 special promises to St. Margaret Mary for those who honor his Sacred Heart faithfully. These promises encourage Catholics to develop a consistent devotion to Jesus' Sacred Heart. Here are all 12 promises of the Sacred Heart:

"I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
1. I will establish peace in their homes.
2. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
3. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
4. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
5. Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
6. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
7. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
8. I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honoured.
9. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
10. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
11. I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments.
12. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment."

These promises have inspired many to practice the Nine First Fridays devotion, which involves receiving Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months in reparation to the Sacred Heart.

The novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is prayed from June 3 - June 11, culminating on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on June 12, 2026.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 3 - June 11

St Padre Pio recited this novena every day for all those who requested his prayers.

Pray all prayers below every day during the novena.

Prayer One:

O my Jesus, you have said:
"Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you."
Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of…
(name your request here)
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be to the Father…
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
Amen.

Prayer Two:

O my Jesus, you have said:
"Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you."
Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of…
(name your request here)
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be To the Father…
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
Amen.

Prayer Three:

O my Jesus, you have said:
"Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away."
Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of…
(name your request here)
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be to the Father…
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Amen.

Concluding Prayer:

O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted,
have pity on us miserable sinners
and grant us the grace which we ask of you,
through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary,
your tender Mother and ours.

The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us O most holy Mother of God,
That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Amen.

Optional Litany to the Sacred Heart
By St Margaret Mary Alacoque

The Litany can be prayed at any time but is especially meaningful:

On the Feast of the Sacred Heart
During the Nine First Fridays devotion
In Eucharistic Adoration
During times of personal suffering, spiritual dryness, or trials
As a daily prayer to grow closer to Jesus' love
Hail, Heart of Jesus, save me!
Hail, Heart of my Creator, perfect me!
Hail, Heart of my Savior, deliver me!
Hail, Heart of my Judge, grant me pardon!
Hail, Heart of my Father, govern me!
Hail, Heart of my Spouse, grant me love!
Hail, Heart of my Master, teach me!
Hail, Heart of my King, be my crown!
Hail, Heart of my Benefactor, enrich me!
Hail, Heart of my Shepherd, guard me!
Hail, Heart of my Friend, comfort me!
Hail, Heart of my Brother, stay with me!
Hail, Heart of the Child Jesus, draw me to yourself!
Hail, Heart of Jesus dying on the Cross, redeem me!
Hail, Heart of Jesus in all your states, give yourself to me!
Hail, Heart of incomparable goodness, have mercy on me!
Hail, Heart of splendor, shine within me!
Hail, most loving Heart, inflame me!
Hail, most merciful Heart, work within me!
Hail, most humble Heart, dwell within me!
Hail, most patient Heart, support me!
Hail, most faithful Heart, be my reward!
Hail, most admirable and most worthy Heart, bless me!

Lord Jesus,
let my heart never rest until it finds You,
who are its center, its love, and its happiness.
By the wound in Your heart,
pardon the sins that I have committed
whether out of malice or out of evil desires.

Place my weak heart in Your own divine Heart,
continually under Your protection and guidance,

so that I may persevere in doing good
and in fleeing evil until my last breath.

Amen.

LINK

Radio Maria USA:
https://radiomaria.us/u-s-bishops-to-consecrate-america-to-sacred-heart-of-jesus-for-250th-anniversary/