A small but prayerful crowd gathered at the Cathedral of the Assumption June 11 to join the bishops of the United States in consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation,” the congregation prayed as Father Frederick W. Klotter and Deacon Chris McDonell knelt before a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in veneration.
“We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation,” they prayed. “May our hearts be united to yours … and the wounds of our land be healed.”
The special evening Mass was organized in response to a call from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, who consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart at the Spring meeting in Orlando earlier that day.
“We are consecrating our country — Catholic, Protestant, Atheist, everybody, the whole ball of wax — to the love of Christ. To the Sacred Heart.”
— Father Frederick W. Klotter, pastor at the Cathedral of the Assumption
“On June 11, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops consecrated the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Parishes around the country are encouraged to join the bishops in celebrating the consecration of our nation to the Sacred Heart,” said the USCCB in invitation.
The consecration preceded the June 12 solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Father Klotter, who last month celebrated his 30th anniversary as a priest, explained the consecration during his homily.
“Why shouldn’t we surrender ourselves before the Lord Jesus tonight and consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart? The word consecrate is kind of a fancy word, but I think for me, it just means ‘to dedicate,’ ” said Father Klotter.
Tonight, “we are consecrating our country — Catholic, Protestant, atheist, everybody, the whole ball of wax — to the love of Christ. To the Sacred Heart.”
“Our country does try to embody some good virtues. We don’t always get it right — through long histories, bad things, bad practices and bad lies — but we keep trying to get it right. That is a virtue. I like to think that, maybe, God recognizes that aspect of our nation,” Father Klotter said.
