On June 11, 2026, the bishops of the United States gathered to solemnly consecrate our nation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus — a historic act entrusting America to Christ's boundless love and mercy as we approach the 250th anniversary of our independence.
The very next day, on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Fr. Richard, pastor of St. John Chrysostom and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes in the Bronx, led a local consecration. A beautiful rainbow appeared right over St. Thomas Aquinas Church — where the late Bishop Francisco Garmendia once served as pastor.
St. Thomas Aquinas in the Bronx was my home parish. It is where I received my sacraments, served as Master of Ceremony for the bishop, youth minister, altar server leader, pro-life director for the parish and the South Bronx Vicariate, director for evangelization, catechist, and assistant director of religious education. Seeing this sign over that beloved church filled my heart with gratitude and awe.
The rainbow is a powerful symbol in Scripture. In Genesis, after the flood, God set His bow in the clouds as a sign of His covenant with Noah and all creation — a promise of mercy, that He would never again destroy the earth with water (Genesis 9:12-17). It reminds us of God's faithfulness, His justice tempered with compassion, and His desire for peace with humanity.
How fitting a link to the Sacred Heart! The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the ultimate sign of God's New Covenant — the Heart pierced for love of us, from which blood and water flowed as the fountain of mercy and new life. Just as the rainbow arches across the sky as a bridge between heaven and earth, the Incarnate Word bridges the gap between God and man. The rainbow's colors reflect the beauty and diversity of creation redeemed by Christ's love; the Sacred Heart burns with that same divine love, inviting every soul into friendship with Him.
These rainbows feel like a gentle confirmation from Heaven: our nation, our parishes, and our lives are being entrusted to the One whose Heart never fails. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus reign in our country, in our families, and in every heart.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! 🇺🇸❤️🔥🌈
See:
(3) When the Bishops of the USA... - Catholic Tradition & Evangelization | Facebook
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for reading and for your comment. All comments are subject to approval. They must be free of vulgarity, ad hominem and must be relevant to the blog posting subject matter.