Latest Poem
- Sacred Heart Consecration
On the Consecration of the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the American bishops assembled in Orlando, Florida, June 11, 2026.
O noblest, tenderest, most faithful Heart,
Furnace of charity, true love’s delight,
Heart earthly and eternal, you impart
All benefits of nature, and ignite
Within our hearts your generous regard
For like and unlike, as we all as unite
In faith beneath a banner fifty-starred.With thanks, and in contrition for misdeeds,
We consecrate ourselves for strengthening
Against the lazy selfishness that leads
To patriotic love’s unraveling.
Your Heart, O Christ, in mercy far exceeds
Vainglorious masters striving to be king.Unjust, unworthy kingship we rejected
In freedom granted us at your creation
Of man and woman meant to be perfected
By choosing good—with loving consolation
When sin reveals a need to be corrected.
We praise love in our nation’s consecration
As to God’s kingly Heart we kneel subjected.Though most won’t understand this grand subjection,
Our King takes each American as friend.
Despite betrayal, flight, or disaffection,
Enough will yield to love, and comprehend
How Jesus leads us in a new direction.
The glory of His Kingdom has no end.O Sacred Heart, pierced by a lance whence flowed
The blood and water capable of healing
Raw wounds of hate and error that corrode
Our human hearts and render us unfeeling,
You knew and know the agonizing load
Of outer wants and inner aches appealing
For love and care so easily bestowed.Accept us, humble of heart and bravely meek
Vessels your living fount of goodness fills,
Acknowledging your Spirit as we speak,
Distribute food and soothe soul-stricken ills.
In love of country and of God, we seek
Yourself, Desire of the Everlasting Hills.
Margaret Coats is a retired teacher of literature, languages, and writing whose most extensive experience is in homeschooling for her own family and others. Her writings include verse translations from French, Latin, and Italian as well as original poetry acknowledging diverse poetic traditions.
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