In a moving moment for Catholics nationwide, Cardinal Raymond Burke formally consecrated the U.S. to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on the June 12 solemnity at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
The historic consecration served as a spiritual prelude to a weekend of commemorative events for the nation’s 250th anniversary, including CatholicVote’s Zeale for America 250 prayer rally in La Crosse, a faith-filled celebration of the semiquincentennial taking place June 13.
During this watershed moment in the nation’s history, CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt, Vice President of Advocacy Joshua Mercer, and “The Deep” podcast host Erika Ahern joined Zeale News for a discussion on how love of country and the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are intertwined.
Zeale News: Why is it important that our nation be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
Reinhardt: National renewal begins with spiritual renewal and the renewal of our hearts begins by calling forth the graces from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This may be the second most important moment after our founding given the way grace moves in our world. Consecrations have changed history–JPII’s consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart, for instance.
As Catholics, a consecration is one of the most solemn and loving acts we can make to God. The American experiment was built on a profoundly religious and Christian spirit and this consecration is a reset button for the next 250 years to make sure our founding values transform the future.
Mercer: God loves his children, whom he made in his own image. Therefore, he cares about our country and the affairs of mankind. He certainly doesn’t need us to consecrate our country to his Sacred Heart. But in doing so, we invite Our Lord to bless our country and its people.
Ahern: As children of God, we want to bring what is dearest to us to the heart of His Son. We bring him our family, our friends, and our homeland. Consecrating America – setting it aside for God – is the ultimate act of love and devotion. It is a fitting birthday celebration!
Zeale News: Why do you feel this is the best way to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary?
Reinhardt: We need to enkindle a love of our country so we can make the sacrifices needed for her to flourish during the next 250 years. What better way to do that than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom together?
Mercer: In his farewell address, President George Washington stated quite clearly: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.” From the beginning of our Republic, through its most trying times to our present moment, we have a duty and responsibility to have religious faith at the center of our patriotic gatherings.
Ahern: I think there is a lot of confusion in the country right now about who we are and why we are here. When we consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart, we are remembering that we are one Christian nation, under God, and indivisible. It’s a kind of refounding at this precious (and precarious) moment.
Zeale News: Why is CatholicVote the right organization to host this unique event?
Reinhardt: Our national reach and our mission make CatholicVote uniquely positioned for this event: we have consistently championed love of God and love of country and spent two decades equipping Catholics to engage courageously in public life.
Mercer: CatholicVote has been blessed to have 500,000 Catholic members across the U.S. In thanksgiving for everything God has done for this movement, we wanted to organize an event centered on faith and patriotism during this special anniversary year for America.
Zeale News: What do you hope attendees will gain from their A250 experience?
Reinhardt: I hope attendees leave with a renewed love of country, dedication to living their faith in the public square, and hope for the future. Great moments in history often begin with a small spark – and this is one of them.
Mercer: When we focus on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we invite his tremendous love into our own hearts. If we truly want a better world and a renewed country, we must begin by purifying our hearts. When we imitate Christ’s love, we set the world ablaze.
Ahern: Renewal! A250 is such an incredible moment for Catholics and our friends to mark an amazing milestone, but I hope it sparks a fire that carries us forward. There is so much to do and pray for – from strengthening the pro-life movement and rebuilding the family to securing our borders and reforming our institutions. I hope the grace of today gives us the strength of lions to “go forward bravely,” as Kelsey says.
Zeale News: How are faith and patriotism intertwined in your own life?
Reinhardt: Having traveled the world as head of international news for EWTN, I have a profound gratitude for the providence of God and the gift that this nation is for the world and for my family and the Catholic Church. Here is a nation where we can live the faith boldly, proclaim Jesus, and serve others out of the abundance of our blessings. I also pray daily for the nation. Every morning, when I wake up, I ask Jesus how I can bring his kingdom to light in this nation.
Mercer: So many men and women in my family served in our country’s military, from the Revolutionary War all the way to the 21st century. Patriotism, duty, honor, and faith in God have always been bedrock values in my family. In recent decades, these same virtues have been mocked and ridiculed. I hope we can foster greater love of patriotism and faith in America today.
Ahern: My husband and I try to instill in our children a deep appreciation for America and how our nation has given us an incredible freedom to live the truths of our faith publicly. It is truly an exceptional nation, blessed by God’s providence. Gratitude to God is the foundation of all patriotism — and we have so much to be thankful for here.
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