Today, Melania and I stand in solidarity with the Catholic Bishops assembled in Orlando, Florida, as they dedicate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, commemorating our 250th year of American Independence. This event marks a significant chapter in our national journey, emphasizing the enduring belief that America has always been led by divine guidance.
Long before the United States emerged as a nation, this land was characterized by prayer and miracles, becoming home to deeply devoted Christians. From the brave missionaries, settlers, and explorers who ventured into the unknown to spread the Gospel, to the clergy and congregants who have shaped our spirit through generations, the love of Jesus Christ has been central to our cultural and spiritual identity.
Inspired by this legacy of faith, shortly after the Revolutionary War, Bishop John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States and a cousin of Founding Father Charles Carroll, dedicated our young Republic to Mary, the Mother of God. Today, this tradition continues as America’s Catholic Bishops consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrating the “abundant gifts” provided by God to a nation founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Following this ceremony, on June 12, Christians globally will honor the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrating God’s ever-present love for all creation.
This year’s Feast also coincides with the anniversary of a pivotal moment in the fight against atheistic communism. On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan delivered a historic speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, urging Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”
In his address, President Reagan highlighted “the most fundamental distinction of all between East and West,” emphasizing that totalitarian regimes hinder progress by stifling the human spirit and creativity. He pointed out the construction of a television tower by the communist East German government in the 1960s, which, despite efforts to alter its appearance, still reflected the sign of the cross when the sun shone on it—a symbol of love and worship that could not be suppressed in Berlin.
On the same day, over 200 miles away, Pope Saint John Paul II addressed youth in Poland at the Westerplatte peninsula, a site of heroic resistance during World War II. He urged them to find their own ‘Westerplatte’ in life, a set of tasks and values that must be upheld and defended with unwavering commitment.
Pope Saint John Paul II concluded by quoting a Polish martyr, stating, “More horrifying than a defeat of arms is the defeat of the human spirit.”
Thanks to the leadership of President Reagan and Pope Saint John Paul II, along with the efforts of countless individuals worldwide, the oppressive forces of Soviet communism were overcome, and the human spirit emerged victorious.
Today, nearly four decades later, our nation faces new ideological threats attempting to remove God from our society. As Catholic Bishops once again consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in this 250th year of Independence, we renew our commitment, following the example of President Reagan and Pope Saint John Paul II, to protect our spiritual heritage and legacy. We hope that America will remain a beacon of faith, a land of miracles, and a guiding light for nations in the years to come.
