As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate our country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From the beginning of June through Independence Day, St. Thomas will provide several ways to honor the Sacred Heart and pray for our nation:
250 Hours of Adoration
Between June 1 and July 4, as part of a national initiative, our parish is encouraging everyone to spend a holy hour (or more than one!) with our Eucharistic Lord. We will provide prayer resources to help you entrust our nation and yourself to the Sacred Heart. You can complete your holy hours during 24-hour Adoration, which starts at 9:00 a.m. each Friday and ends before 9:00 a.m. Mass on Saturday. You can also adore our Lord in the tabernacle on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When you complete your holy hour, color in one of the stars on the poster in the back of the church. If you forget, contact James Kachman at jameskac@umich.edu. And please consider signing up for a consistent holy hour by clicking the button below. Drop-ins are always welcome, but our regular adorers make Adoration possible for everyone.
Pray a Novena to the Sacred Heart
From June 3-11, we are encouraging everyone to pray a novena to the Sacred Heart provided by the U.S. bishops. As you pray, you’ll learn more about devotion to the Sacred Heart, why the bishops are consecrating our country, and what the saints and popes have to say about the Sacred Heart. The novena ends with the national consecration prayer.
Consecrate the U.S.A. to the Sacred Heart
On Thursday, June 11, the vigil of the Sacred Heart, the U.S. bishops will celebrate a livestreamed 4:00 p.m. Mass at which they will consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Then on Friday, June 12, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, there will be Masses at St. Thomas at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. (Extraordinary Form). We will pray the national consecration prayer at these Masses. We will also have the national consecration prayer available during 24-hour Adoration. All are encouraged to pray the national consecration prayer and to pray a holy hour for our nation.
Consecrate Yourself to the Sacred Heart
On Sunday, June 13-14, we will provide an opportunity to pray a personal act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at all Masses. St. Thomas will also provide blessed images of the Sacred Heart that are suitable for framing as part of the enthronement ceremony.
Enthrone the Sacred Heart in Your Home
We encourage all individuals, families, households, and businesses affiliated with our parish to enthrone an image of the Sacred Heart to recognize Christ’s rule over their lives. We will release a video of Fr. Bill leading the enthronement prayers that you can use for your home enthronement ceremony. You can also invite Fr. Bill or another priest to your home for the ceremony, or the head of the household can lead the prayers.
Pray on Independence Day
On July 3-4, we are in special need of people to commit to a holy hour during 24-hour Adoration. Sign up by clicking the button below. At 9:00 a.m. on Independence Day, we will celebrate a special Mass to pray for our country.