Local
By Michael J. Cooney | For On Mission
GREEN BAY, WI — Kneeling before the side altar dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Bishop David Ricken entrusted the Diocese of Green Bay to Christ’s love and mercy in a solemn act of consecration during the diocese’s Independence Day Mass on July 4.
Coming just weeks after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the ceremony placed the Diocese of Green Bay alongside other dioceses across the country that have recently made similar acts of consecration.
The national consecration followed the Church’s annual celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and came after Pope Francis encouraged renewed devotion to the Sacred Heart in his 2024 encyclical Dilexit Nos. The devotion itself reaches back more than 350 years to the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in France. Pope Leo XIII consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart in 1899.
Because the consecration took place on Independence Day, Bishop Ricken began his homily by reflecting on the blessings of the United States and the faith that shaped many of its earliest leaders.
“At this Mass, we’re giving thanks to God for his many blessings on this country,” he said.
The bishop recalled recently watching a film about the early life of George Washington and quoted from Washington’s first inaugural address: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” Washington’s words, Bishop Ricken said, remind Americans that freedom flourishes when a nation recognizes its dependence on God.
Turning to the day’s Gospel, Bishop Ricken focused on Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).
He said those words speak directly to people living in a culture marked by constant activity, distraction and anxiety. As one practical response, he announced that the Diocese of Green Bay will spend the next several years encouraging Catholics to “Reclaim Sunday.”
The initiative calls families to make Sunday once again the Lord’s Day by centering it on the Eucharist, embracing genuine Sabbath rest, sharing meals with family and friends, limiting unnecessary work and activities whenever possible, and intentionally reaching out in charity to those who are lonely or in need. Bishop Ricken said reclaiming Sunday is rooted in the biblical understanding of the Sabbath as God’s gift — a day to deepen our relationship with the Lord, strengthen family life and renew our concern for one another.
The bishop then turned to the meaning of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
“It is important for us to go to the Sacred Heart — that divine font of love — and return there often,” he said.
Rather than viewing devotion to the Sacred Heart as simply a private prayer, Bishop Ricken said it has the power to renew families, communities and even nations by first transforming individual hearts. Quoting British statesman William Wilberforce, he observed that lasting social renewal begins with personal conversion.
The consecration of the diocese, he emphasized, is intended to be far more than a ceremonial act.
“My hope and prayer is that many people will be given the grace to understand what life is all about, what their unique role and vocation is in life; not try to go it all alone and prove themselves, but submit themselves to the love of Christ.”
Following Communion, Bishop Ricken and the concelebrating priests processed to the Cathedral’s side altar dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Kneeling before the image of the Sacred Heart, they led the congregation in the Prayer of Consecration, formally entrusting the Diocese of Green Bay, its parishes, schools, ministries and faithful to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The prayer acknowledged Christ’s desire “that we enjoy friendship with you” and proclaimed that from his pierced side “you have poured out the wellspring of life for which we thirst.” It gave thanks for the blessings bestowed upon the United States, founded on the “self-evident” truths of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” while also asking forgiveness “for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation.”
The prayer asked that hearts be united to Christ’s Sacred Heart so that families and communities might enjoy peace and happiness, broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired and “the wounds of our land be healed.” It concluded by asking that the Catholic Church continue to point all people to Christ’s infinite love and invoked God’s blessing upon the United States.
For Catholics, the act of consecration is more than symbolic. It is a public expression of trust, placing individuals and communities under Christ’s loving care while renewing their commitment to follow him more faithfully.
For those gathered in the cathedral, the consecration became a meaningful part of their Fourth of July observance. Their prayers for the nation and for the Diocese of Green Bay were deeply heartfelt, joining gratitude for the blessings of the United States with a renewed trust in the love and mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Watch the video recording of the consecration Mass on YouTube here: July 4th, 2026 | Mass with Bishop Ricken from St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
