Epiphany Cathedral Parish in Venice embraced the opportunity to participate in the national consecration to Sacred Heart of Jesus with a Novena of prayer, Mass and consecration on July 11, 2026.
The consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus comes from a call from the U.S. Bishops to join the festivities surrounding the United States’ commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.
The consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus signals to God that His goodness is not forgotten and that our country relies on God’s providence for continued flourishing, bringing blessing and hope to a country suffering from wounds of division.
The U.S. Bishops consecrated the United States to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus during the Bishops’ biannual meeting in Orlando on June 11.
That same evening, Epiphany Cathedral celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and consecration. Prior to the Mass, the Cathedral offered Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and many took the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Msgr. Patrick Dubois, who offered the homily, said the consecration is something that might be viewed as just a simple act, but is not that.
“We bring the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Msgr. Dubois said. “We cannot say our country is perfect, that there are no wounds or divisions, or we have all the answers, because we do not. But because Jesus tells us, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, remain in my love (John 15:9).’ Our nation needs that love. We need that love.”
While many are oppressed by burdens, families struggles and the young are searching for meaning, these are wounds that politics, money and success cannot heal.
“Tonight, the Church does not bring our nation to a program or ideology, She brings our nation to a heart – the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Msgr. Dubios said.
The Monsignor asked the faithful to truly look at the Sacred Heart of Jesus and realize what is seen: his love in a wounded, but still burning heart; a heart pierced, but still open; and a heart crowned with thorns, but still offering mercy.
“Jesus reveals to us the deepest desire of His Heart, that is to ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ The Sacred Heart is not simply a symbol of Christ’s love for us, but an invitation for us to love as He loves,” Msgr. Dubois continued. “The renewal of our nation will not begin in government buildings or public debates. It will begin in hearts, transformed by the love of Christ, and it is graced through simple acts of charity, patience and sacrifice. We all need to learn that.
The Mass also included a Litany of the Sacred heart of Jesus, special prayer intentions and a reading of the prayer to the Sacred Heart by all. This was the same prayer with which the U.S. Bishops consecrated the United States to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus earlier the same day in Orlando.
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the Friday immediately following the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), which the Church incorporated in the Liturgical Calendar in response to the mystical visions experienced by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in Paray-le-Monial, France, between 1673 and 1675. However, the foundational devotion of meditating on the wounded Heart of Christ was born at the foot of the Cross through the divinely inspired love which the saints bore from then on to the Sacred Passion of the Crucified and Pierced Christ. Later, the early Church Fathers and countless saints, such as St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Gertrude the Great, St. Bonaventure and St. John Eudes, all encouraged devotion to the Pierced Heart of Jesus. This is why many Popes have also lauded such devotion and encouraged the practice of consecrating themselves, their homes, and even whole nations to the Sacred Heart.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
On the occasion of the U.S. Bishops Consecrating the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:
You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you.
From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst.
Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you.
We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed
all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation.
May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken
relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed.
May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love.
O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America.
Who live and reign with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
