Diocese to Join Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart
by Benjamin Shane Evans | May 19, 2026
The Diocese of Des Moines will join in celebration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)’s Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which will take place on June 11, 2026. This event is part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
On November 11, the bishops of the United States voted to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, according to a reflection by the Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty.
Drawing from Pope Pius XI’s encyclical instituting the Solemnity of Christ, Pope Francis’s Dilexit Nos, and Pope Leo’s Dilexi Te, Archbishop Sample wrote that the consecration is an opportunity to reflect with gratitude “on the blessings God has bestowed on our country,” and “consider how we might foster truth, justice, and charity in American life,” as a way to recognize the “kingship of Christ.”
“We are called to bring our faith into the actions we take and the lives we lead in our communities. We celebrate the ways the Church has contributed to a more just world, and we invite all in our society to see the face of Christ reflected in each sister and brother,” Archbishop Sample said. “We welcome God’s ‘kingdom of justice, fraternity and solidarity,’ remembering that ‘God has a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against and oppressed, and he asks us, his Church, to make a decisive and radical choice in favor of the weakest.’”
The Diocese of Des Moines parishes have been invited to consider participating in the consecration at the parish level.
Fr. Trevor M. Chicoine, Episcopal Vicar for Divine Worship for the Diocese of Des Moines and Pastor at the Basilica of St. John in Des Moines, said the diocese has shared with individual parishes resources prepared by the USCCB and pointed to the USCCB’s website for additional guidance.
“There’s a ton of good resources including a Novena that can be said, an invitation to consider giving time in adoration and giving time for corporal works of mercy,” Very Rev. Chicoine said.
Individuals are invited to pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which draws devotion from the Litany of the Sacred Heart, from Wednesday, June 3, to Thursday, June 11. The website also includes a guide for local celebration of the consecration, both within Mass and within a Liturgy of the Word.
Celebrations in the Diocese
Dedicated celebrations throughout the diocese will occur at local parishes.
Some of these include:
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines: This parish will celebrate the consecration as part of the 6th Annual Sacred Heart of Jesus Feast Day Celebration on Friday, June 12. The celebration begins with Mass at 5:30 pm and moves outside for party in the parking lot beginning at 6:30 pm. It will include live music from Heath Alan Band, refreshments, games, and food trucks including Grazianos, Campbell's Corndogs Hawaiian Grill, and El Burrito Loco.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bedford: A gathering with refreshments will held after 5:45 p.m. Mass on Saturday, June 13.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Woodbine: A special Mass will be held on Friday, June 12, at 5 p.m.
- Basilica of St. John: The consecration prayer will be prayed at Masses to be held at noon and 7 p.m.