Encountering the Heart of Jesus at the Sacred Heart Congress
“Welcome the presence of the Heart of Christ, entrusting your home to Him… Seek to draw from this Open Heart the saving and healing love that is so necessary for families today.”
– St. John Paul II
This fall, the faithful of the Diocese of Columbus and beyond are invited to gather for the 14th Annual Sacred Heart Congress on Saturday, November 8, 2025, hosted at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Westerville, OH. The Theme of the event is “Cultivating a Heart on Fire With the Sacred Heart.” This event is both LIVE and STREAMING LIVE!
The Congress is a morning set aside for prayer, reflection, and fellowship—a pause from our busy lives to renew our love for the Heart of Jesus. Throughout the day, attendees will experience Holy Mass with our Bishop, the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, inspiring talks, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all centered on deepening devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Thanks to the generosity of St. Paul Parish, the support of St. Gabriel Radio (broadcasting and archiving the event), and the many sponsors, volunteers, and benefactors, this Congress continues to bear fruit each year. Sponsors in particular make it possible not only to host this significant event but also to continue promoting the Sacred Heart devotion throughout the year in parishes, homes, and schools.
Why We Gather
The goal of the Congress is simple yet profound: to encounter the Heart of Jesus so that we may be transformed.
This year carries a special significance. We have just completed the 350th anniversary of the apparitions of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Paray-le-Monial, France. There, Jesus revealed His Heart burning with love for humanity. He asked that His image be exposed and honored, and He promised that those who promote this devotion would have their names written in His Heart.
That invitation is for us today. At the Congress, we come together to honor the Lord’s Heart, draw close to His love, and renew our mission to share this devotion with the world.
Carrying the Mission Forward
One of the great champions of the Sacred Heart devotion was Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, a priest from Peru who visited Paray-le-Monial in 1907. Deeply moved by the revelations to St. Margaret Mary, he sought and received permission from Pope Pius X to launch a new apostolate of the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes.
Fr. Mateo is now known as the Father of the Enthronement. He understood that Jesus must be placed on the throne of our hearts and homes, building a true covenant of love with Christ. His vision was clear: the devotion must be personal, family-centered, and public—recognizing Jesus as the King and center of our lives.
Today, his cause for sainthood continues to advance. In 1971, Pope Paul VI declared him Venerable, recognizing his heroic virtue. For him to be beatified, a confirmed miracle through his intercession is required. As we await this next step, his mission still inspires families across the globe.
We encourage all the faithful to pray for his cause, ask for his intercession in your family, and join us in promoting this devotion that transforms hearts and homes.
A Day of Grace – Preview of 2025 Congress
This year’s Congress promises to be a day filled with grace, encouragement, and renewal. Highlights include:
*Keynote Address by Fr. James Kubicki, SJ – Nationally known speaker and author of A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
*Practical insights from The Messy Family Project – Mike and Alicia Hernon (hosts of the Messy Family Podcast) will offer wisdom and encouragement for Catholic family life.
*Holy Mass celebrated by our Bishop, uniting us in the Heart of Christ.
*Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration, drawing us deeper into prayer.
*Ministry update by Emily Jaminet, Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network, who will also serve as Emcee for the day.
It will truly be a day of grace, healing, and encouragement for families, individuals, and parishes.
Save the Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Westerville, OH.
Register Here and learn more about how you can promote and share this event with others!