As the nation celebrated the consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in June, the Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart (GOH) parishioners at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Chino combined this occasion with their ongoing daily hour and activities that unite themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“This is the best ministry for me,” said GOH Coordinator and parishioner Mary Monroy. “Its is an honor to be a Guard of Honor.”
The GOH of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a worldwide Catholic association that seeks to foster an intimate spiritual relationship between its members and the Heart of Christ. It was founded in Bourg, France by Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart in 1863.
“This is achieved primarily by offering up our ordinary activities during a special hour each day,” Monroy said. “By uniting ourselves with the Heart of Jesus during this chosen hour, even while carrying out our daily tasks, we call down the blessings of Christ’s Heart upon ourselves, our loved ones, and the whole world.”
In June, during the national consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the parish hosted the diocesan pilgrim Icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus from June 8-10, held family activities, such as a movie night about St. Margaret and the Sacred Heart, Adoration and Holy House, and held a special ceremony for new GOH members where pastor, Father Restituto O. Galang, M.S.P., bestowed blessed medals upon them.
“Members of the Guard of Honor expressed that the country’s consecration is a blessing, bringing hope for reconciliation and justice for all and for greater unity in a time of such division,” Monroy said. “They viewed it as something the Heart of Jesus may have permitted so that many might reflect on the spiritual healing the country needs.”
The GOH at St. Margaret Mary parish was established in 2025 by Fr. Galang. Around 300 parishioners have signed up to be a GOH. The group is registered with the Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Tyringham, Massachusetts and they are currently in the process of getting designated within the diocese and the state.
“The fundamental mission is prayer of reparation to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the outrages, offenses, coldness, and sins of humanity,” Monroy said. “The assigned hour does not require going to a church; it is observed while the person works, studies, or rests. It is summed up in the phrase, ‘Everything for love, nothing out of obligation.’”
The GOH members meet every first Friday of the month. To learn more, please contact the parish (909) 591-7400.