Sacred Heart Consecration

My brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
It has been a great joy for me to begin my ministry among you here in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. In these months, I have been deeply encouraged by your love for Jesus Christ, your devotion to your families, and your fidelity to our Catholic faith. You are truly a blessing to our local Church, and I thank God for each of you.
 
In this spirit of gratitude and hope, I would like to invite you to take part in a very special moment in the life of our Archdiocese. This June, I will consecrate the Archdiocese of New Orleans to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Louis Cathedral on Sunday, June 14. This act of consecration continues a long and beautiful tradition in our local Church. In 1874, Archbishop Napoleon Perché entrusted our Archdiocese to the Sacred Heart, placing our people under the loving care of Christ. Now, in our own time, we renew that same act of trust, asking the Lord to guide and strengthen us today. It is an opportune time for us to turn anew to our Lord for His protection and love.
 
This year carries a special significance, as the bishops of the United States will consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart at our meeting in June, marking the 250th anniversary of our country. Together, these moments again invite us to turn anew to the Heart of Jesus and to entrust ourselves—our parishes, our families, and our hearts—to His merciful love.
 
In the nine weeks leading up to the consecration, beginning on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, all of our parishes have been asked to pray in preparation for this important moment of grace. I encourage each of you to take part as fully as you are able—especially through prayer at Mass, and in your homes for those who are unable to attend. A special moment of unity in prayer across the Archdiocese will take place on Thursday, June 4, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. A Holy Hour, held in every parish before the Blessed Sacrament, will mark the beginning of the novena leading to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart and will be offered for renewal and hope.
 
A central part of this initiative will be the invitation for every household to enthrone in their home the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the same day as the Archdiocesan consecration. I strongly encourage you to prepare for this by obtaining a simple 8x10” frame for the image and designating a place of honor for it in your home. These images of the Sacred Heart will be blessed and distributed in every parish of the Archdiocese during Masses on June 13-14. I also encourage each household to prepare spiritually for the enthronement by praying a novena—either on the Sundays leading up to the consecration or during the nine days immediately beforehand. This simple but meaningful act can become a powerful source of grace, reminding us daily of the Lord’s presence and His love for us. Additional materials, prayers, and resources for this time of preparation can be found at nolacatholic.org/sacredheart.
 
My hope is that this consecration will mark the beginning of a deeper renewal in our Archdiocese—a renewal of faith, of family life, and of our mission to share the love of Christ with others. The Heart of Jesus burns with love for each of us, and He desires to draw us closer to Himself.
 
I ask you, therefore, to enter into this time with open hearts, with trust, and with hope. Let us place ourselves confidently under the care of the Sacred Heart, knowing that He will guide us and strengthen us for whatever lies ahead.
 
Be assured of my prayers for you and your families. Please also remember to pray for me.
 
With gratitude and every good wish, I remain
 
Yours in Christ,

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Archbishop of New Orleans