The month of June is a time of great celebrations! It’s traditionally a time of graduations, proms and weddings.
In our part of the United States – the northeast -it’s a time to celebrate and welcome Summer after a cold and snowy winter. It’s a time to pull out the barbecue and fill the garden with the colors of Summer! But – the month of June is so much more!!!!
In the Catholic Church, June is the month that is packed full of “feast days!” As I write this particular blog, today – June 7, 2026 – we celebrate “The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.” The scripture readings and Gospel were so rich today – it seemed we were served up a huge “banquet” of blessings!
This was the second reading today taken from 1 Corinthians 1:16-17 that reads like a “manifesto” of “whom we are and who we belong to!”
“Brothers and sisters:
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?
The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many,
are one body,
for we all partake of the one loaf.”
I love the definition of “manifesto”
a public declaration, usually of a prince, sovereign, or other person claiming large powers,
showing his intentions,
or proclaiming his opinions and motives in reference to some act done or contemplated by him.”
Isn’t our loving “act” of receiving the “True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ” present in the Eucharist” manifest to the world our public “declaration of love” for our Lord? Aren’t we the “daughters and sons” of God who is “truly” the “Father” of us all? Truly we are “one body – one loaf of bread!” One family in Christ Jesus! And that makes us one mighty body of intercessory prayer!
Moving further into this week, on Thursday, June 11th, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart.
What does that mean for the United States of America? What does the mean to us personally? I’ve been dwelling on these questions and invite you to dwell on them as well.
What does “consecration” actually mean in the Catholic tradition of the Church?
If you look up the definition of this word – “consecration,” it means the following in a worldly sense:
“A solemn commitment of your life or your time to some cherished purpose (to a service or a goal.)
” (religion) sanctification of something by setting it apart (usually with religious rites) as dedicated to God.”
If you go to the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – they post the following:
“As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the USCCB joins this celebration by lifting up the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.”
Just by this statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – we are “SET APART” by the impact of our faith on the history of this country. I repeat this statement because it is so vital to our understanding of who we are!
When I first glanced at this picture on instagram, I was taken aback. I thought of not only myself resting in that “Sacred Heart” but I envisioned all of the United States of America. “All” of the States that will be consecrated on Thursday, June 11th. 2026.
At the Last Supper in John’s Gospel – Chapter 13:21-26 we read the following:
“Having said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me. The disciples looked at one another wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, “Ask who it is he means,” so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, “Who is it Lord?
In my meditating upon the upcoming “Consecration” of the United States of America, I envisioned every soul that resides in all the 50 states reclining on the Breast of Jesus! Why? To listen as St. John knew how to! To understand what the Sacred Heart of the Lord’s Will is for each of us! To make this a better Country and to bring about “peace” to not only the United States of America but the entire world by our prayers and our witness as children of God.
I could have looked for a picture of St. John reclining on the breast of Jesus, however, the one above seemed to speak volumes to my heart as I hope it does to whomever reads this post.
Words of Jesus taken from the book “He and I – Gabrielle Bossis”
Jesus speaks to Gabrielle:
“Understand this: When you say “Lord, I love you,” you can go no farther, for you’ve said everything; you can only repeat. And the Lord reigns over you. When the whole earth has declared its love, then His Kingdom will come and “the times” will be fulfilled. But you must pray. You don’t know the power of prayer. It’s like a strong arm helping Mine since I allow you to help Me. You remember Simon, the Cyrenean?
Together, you with Me. My tenderness is imperious, isn’t it? You have seen mothers hug their children as though they wanted to lock them in their hearts? What is that compared with My Love?
Haven’t I asked you to eat Me every day?
Poor little ones; you don’t understand. At least offer Me your good will and try to love Me a little more. Come a step nearer every morning. Picture my outstretched arms. Who is keeping you from covering the last distance between us? Oh, may it not be fear!
Call Me and I’ll take hold of you as I took hold of Peter You remember? I had called him, “Man of little faith.”
And I said, “If you had faith even as a grain of mustard seed, you could move mountains.”
Never cease to quicken your faith and hope, and you will never leave Me again.
Can anyone leave Me once he has found Me?”
I’ve come to understand in my “musings” on what “consecration” truly means – it is simply to “LOVE.” To love like the Sacred Heart loves us. . .each and every one of us.
Over and over we are told again and again that we will be judged on love when we appear before the Lord Jesus at the end of our lives.
Can you imagine if the entire United States of America consecrated to the Sacred Heart on Thursday, June 11th loves Jesus first and foremost and then loves each other. . .even thine enemies?
He tells us above:
When the whole earth has declared its love, then His Kingdom will come and “the times” will be fulfilled.
I would like to close this blog with the lyrics and poem of “America the Beautiful”……which seems to be the perfect prayer of consecration for our hearts and a song to be sung until the Day of the Lord has come upon earth in “Perfect Love.”
O beautiful for spacious skies,
for amber waves of grain,
for purple mountains majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God Shed His grace on thee
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine very flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than Life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
MAY WE GIVE JESUS
THE KEYS TO OUR HEARTS
THIS COMING
JUNE 11, 2026!
©2026 Anita Guariglia
Photo Credits/ Instagram
Jerusalem Bible – Scripture from John 13:21-26
He and I – Gabrielle Bossis – March 2, 1950 passage
One Response
Author! Author!!! What an illuminated tying together of so many seemingly unconnected thoughts, quotes, concepts and mystical truths. This was enlightening. The hymn summed it all up. Oh! If only our nation would wake up and love our adorable Jesus!
Thank you for taking time out of your busy and full life to contemplate these truths that are not self evident to the rest of us.