05/01/2026
During their November 2025 Fall plenary assembly, the U.S. Bishops made the decision to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11 in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.
Once this decision was made, Bishop Alberto Rojas wrote to the Vatican asking that the diocesan parishes and schools dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be made special pilgrimage sites that the faithful could visit and receive a plenary indulgence during the month of June. This request was approved by the Vatican.
These designated parish and school sites are: The Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Redlands; Sacred Heart Academy, Redlands; Sacred Heart Parish, Jurupa Valley; Sacred Heart Parish, Anza; Sacred Heart Parish, Rancho Cucamonga; Sacred Heart School, Rancho Cucamonga; St. Margaret Mary Parish, Chino; Sacred Heart of Mary & Jesus Chapel, Thermal; and Sacred Heart Parish, Palm Desert.
Similar to the 2025 Ordinary Jubilee Year, the local Catholic faithful are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to one or more these designated sites dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence, a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins.
To receive a plenary indulgence, one must:
- Have a spirit detached from all sin, even venial.
- Visit one of the Sacred Heart pilgrimage sites designated by Bishop Rojas, with the intention of receiving the indulgence.
- Confess one’s sins to a priest (Sacrament of Reconciliation)
- Attend Mass and receive the Eucharist
- Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV
- Pray the Our Father and the Creed
The opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence at these designated sites dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus this June is not the only vehicle for the faithful to celebrate the consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
A Pilgrim Icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, one of 300 in the world bearing the apostolic blessing of Pope Francis, will tour the designated diocesan sites.
On Feb. 23 of this year, the Knights of Columbus presented the gift of this special Icon to the Diocese, bringing it to the Diocesan Pastoral Center (DPC) where they also stayed to celebrate a special Mass in honor of this occasion.
“It’s an important part of faith in action for us,” said Knight Jeff Rice, a district deputy a member of Council 4922 in Orange, “to take a leading role in evangelization through icon programs like this.”
The Icon is currently housed inside the DPC chapel, but soon it will visit some of the designated Sacred Heart pilgrimage sites. To pray at and venerate the icon promises to be a deeply moving experience for those who participate, Rice believes.
“It’s personal, it’s intimate,” he said. “You are inviting the faithful to experience the peace in tranquility.”
The Icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will begin its tour at The Holy Name of Jesus Parish and Sacred Heart Academy in Redlands from June 1-4, then to Sacred Heart Parish in Rancho Cucamonga from June 5-7 and will continue to visit other designated sites throughout the month of June. The tour will conclude at Sacred Hearts of Mary & Jesus Chapel in Thermal from June 23-25.
Below the Icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus read the words, “His Holiness Pope Francis cordially imparts the Apostolic Blessing. From the Vatican, October 16, 2024. Memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin.”
Earlier this year on Jan. 3, the Knights of Columbus launched a new Pilgrim Icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus program during a Holy Hour at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, where the icon depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus painted by Pompeo Baton in 1767 was displayed.
The launch of the new icon program connects strongly to Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical, Delixit Nos, which is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For more than 45 years, the Knights of Columbus Pilgrim Icon Program has brought sacred images to Catholic parishes around the world for prayer and devotion, the Sacred Heart of Jesus icon is the 20th icon venerated through the program since 1979.
Rice said he likes what the U.S. Church is doing in response to the coming 250th anniversary of America.
“We’re completing a historic secular moment along with this important concept of Jesus Christ as our divine mercy,” he said.
USCCB publishes “We Hold These Truths” resources for consecrating the U.S. to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
From the USCCB
As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops joins this celebration by lifting up the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country. In a historic moment, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, 2026, and invite all parishes to join in this consecration.
All Catholics are encouraged to join the bishops in praying for the unity and healing of our country.
One opportunity for parishes and individuals to participate is by contributing to a collective 250 Hours of Adoration and 250 Works of Mercy. The USCCB provides examples for 250 Works of Mercy, and guidance for 250 hours of Adoration that can be reached by scanning the QR code at the end of the article.
250 Works of Mercy
Pope Leo XIV instructs in his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te (I Have Loved You) To All Christians on Love for the Poor, “As we contemplate Christ’s love, ‘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’ ” (no. 2).
How to Participate
Individuals and groups can participate in 250 Works of Mercy by engaging in the existing activities and efforts of their parishes, getting involved in new ways, and by participating with local and national organizations on a weekly or monthly basis leading up to the July 4th anniversary. Our works of mercy draw from the deep well of our faith and prayer, constantly reminding us that in tending to our brothers and sisters, we tend to Christ himself. Afterwards, you can report your community’s participation to the USCCB by filling out its 250 Hours of Adoration and 250 Works of Mercy Report Back Form.
These works of mercy could take a variety of shapes, such as:
- Assisting women who face a crisis pregnancy
- Donating to food pantries and clothing closets
- Participating in a community beautification program
- Raising money for an overseas development project
- Sponsoring a refugee family
- Tutoring children
- Volunteering at homeless shelters
Organizations to get involved within your local community include:
- Local Catholic Charities agencies
- Catholic Relief Services chapters and clubs
- The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Find prayers to incorporate before or after the works of mercy at usccb.org/weholdthesetruths.
250 Hours of Adoration
In his encyclical, Dilexit nos (He Loved Us) On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ, Pope Francis instructs us to “nourish our lives with the strength of the Eucharist” in Holy Communion and Adoration, so that we might understand Christ’s love for all more deeply and live out this love ourselves. Our contemplation of the Sacred Heart leads us deeper into the mystery of our salvation and deeper into our love for Christ found in the faces of our sisters and brothers—especially those most in need.
How to Participate
Parishes can participate in 250 hours of adoration together by offering a Holy Hour on a weekly or monthly basis leading up to the July 4 anniversary. Parishes and communities can decide how best to set up their holy hours, continue current practices, or invite new people to join. While 250 hours seems like a lot, each person present constitutes an hour prayed. Parishes and communities can also consider how to incorporate both the 250 Works of Mercy alongside the 250 Hours of Adoration.
Resources for Holy Hour include:
- Holy Hour for Life
- Holy Hour for Peace
- Holy Hour for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty
- Holy Hour for Vocations
- Holy Hour Against Racism
- Sacred Heart Holy Hour
Consider hosting a holy hour or series of holy hours at your parish using the templates provided above. You may have other ways to invite members of your community to spend some time in prayer for our country with Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. To prepare for the Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart, parishes can also incorporate the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus into their Holy Hour.
Additional resources to support prayer for healing and unity during the 250th Anniversary include podcasts, prayers, and reflections at usccb.org/weholdthesetruths.