On Thursday, June 11, the day before the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Paterson Diocese in N.J. will join other U.S. dioceses in consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This act marks a time of renewal and reflection before the July 4 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The consecration will take place on June 11, the vigil of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, when all the bishops of the country, including Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of Paterson, will be gathered in Orlando, Fla., at their semi-annual meeting.
Parishes and individuals across the country are encouraged to join the bishops in consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart in June. For Catholics, it will be a time of renewal — strengthening their relationship of love with Jesus — and reflection — appreciating Catholic contributions to the country’s history.
Diocesan faithful will have opportunities to participate in the consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during three local Masses.
On Friday, June 12, Bishop Sweeney will be the main celebrant at a bilingual Mass at Sacred Heart/Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, N.J., at 7 p.m. The liturgy will include the Act of Consecration.
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Also on that day, Sacred Heart Church in Rockaway, N.J., will hold a holy hour at 6 a.m. and Mass at 7 p.m. Another church, Sacred Heart in Clifton, N.J., will hold an English Mass at noon and a Spanish Mass at 7 p.m. The Masses at both parishes will include the Act of Consecration.
People in the Diocese are encouraged to check with their local parishes for other Mass times and when the Act of Consecration will take place.
Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Worship Office, said, “The connection between the Sacred Heart and our nation is important. At the core (‘cor’ is Latin for ‘heart’) of our founding beliefs are Judeo-Christian values.” The priest is coordinating the local consecration events with Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious.
“Pope Francis said, ‘All of us need to rediscover the importance of the heart’ (Dilexit nos no. 2). The Sacred Heart of Jesus shows not only the divine love of God but the heart of every human being,” Father Brogan added.
By deepening their love for Jesus through the Act of Consecration, individuals receive his love. He fills them and equips them to share that love with others, especially those who are neglected or in need, including family and colleagues.
Father Brogan added, “Pope Leo desires ‘that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor’ (Dilexit te no. 3). Consecrating ourselves to the Sacred Heart reminds us of our call as individuals, a Church, and a nation to love, which is the ‘summa’ of the experience of Christian faith (Pius XI, Miserentissimus Redemptorno. 167).”
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which designated this observance, also urges the faithful across the U.S. to join in praying a Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus from Wednesday, June 3, to Thursday, June 11. For resources, visit: https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Novena%20to%20the%20Sacred%20Heart%20Full.pdf
The U.S. bishops hope the consecration will remind Catholics that “liberty without love risks becoming isolation, and that the freedom envisioned in 1776 ultimately finds its deepest roots in the Gospel’s call to communion and service,” according to Zenit.
Last year, the USCCB said, “Through this act of consecration, the bishops seek to renew devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to acknowledge the kingship of Christ. This perfects the temporal order through the spirit of the Gospel.”
For more information on the motivation behind the nationwide consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, visit: https://www.usccb.org/weholdthesetruths.
