Dear Disciples of Christ at Holy Spirit, St. Helen’s, and St. Mary’s,

Remember last Sunday’s bulletin column? We were celebrating Corpus Christi so naturally I wrote about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist in particular as shown in Eucharistic Miracles. Scientific studies have shown the Host—the Precious Body-in these miracles is muscle tissue from the heart. The Eucharist is the Heart of Jesus. I asked that you reflect on this in the hope that you would make a connection with this Past Friday’s Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Consecration of our Nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that took place on June 11th as part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the USCCB joins this celebration by lifting up the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.

The Bishop’s website notes: Pope Francis brought devotion to the Sacred Heart to the forefront of our contemporary Catholic life and culture. He noted: “In contemplating the pierced heart of the Lord, who ‘took our infirmities and bore our diseases,’ we too are inspired to be more attentive to the sufferings and needs of others and confirmed in our efforts to share in his work of liberation as instruments for the spread of his love. As we meditate on Christ’s self-offering for the sake of all, we are naturally led to ask why we too should not be ready to give our lives for others.”
As we reflect with gratitude on the blessings God has bestowed on our country, our devotion to the Sacred Heart demands that we consider how we might foster truth, justice, and charity in American life. We are called to bring our faith into the actions we take and the lives we lead in our communities. We celebrate the ways the Church has contributed to a more just world, and we invite all in our society to see the face of Christ reflected in each sister and brother. We welcome God’s “kingdom of justice, fraternity and solidarity,”. This anniversary and consecration will be a great opportunity to promote the beautiful devotion to the Sacred Heart and to encourage the laity to offer their lives in service to God and their country.

Let’s, in love filled humility, offer our own hearts to the Heart of Jesus. May the meek and humble heart of Jesus make our own hearts to be like His own. I pray your heart be a heart that beats with the Heart of the Lord.

I want to close with a prayer offered by the martyr Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J.

I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith…
Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence.
Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee.
Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life. Amen.

Peace and Blessings, Fr. Ian