The year 2026 marks a significant milestone for the United States as it celebrates its 250th anniversary — a moment ripe for reflection on the nation’s journey, values and faith. As part of this momentous occasion, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced a consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I was privileged to concelebrate this Mass of Consecration. It was a truly moving and impactful moment for me personally and for our nation.

I also believe that this act of consecration for our nation was a consecration of our diocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, since we share in this nationwide act. This national and local consecration resonates deeply with our God-given mission to bring all people to the healing, hope and joy found in the heart of Jesus.

The consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is rooted in a tradition that emphasizes the love and mercy of Christ. This devotion invites the faithful to see the heart of Jesus as a symbol of divine love and the source of spiritual strength. By consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart, the bishops aim to foster a renewed sense of solidarity among Americans, encouraging them to embrace the divine love and mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a world increasingly marked by war, conflict and strife.

In the Diocese of Duluth, this consecration holds particular significance. Indeed, this consecration serves as an opportunity to engage with the broader themes of mission healing, hope and joy that the Sacred Heart of Jesus embodies as well. Truly we are called, as Catholic citizens, to bring this healing, hope and joy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to all people who are hurting, filled with despair, and struggling to find joy in their lives — especially those who are marginalized in our nation and in our diocese.

The 250th anniversary of the United States is not only a celebration of the past but also a call to action for the future. The consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus provides a powerful spiritual exercise for each of us to have a conversion of heart as we embrace and embody the Sacred Heart of Jesus so that we may become a divine catalyst in calling our nation and diocese to do the same. In doing so, our diocese and nation not only honor our past, they also look forward to a future rooted in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.