Invitation to Mass

Archbishop José H. Gomez will dedicate the 12:10 p.m. Mass on June 16, 2023, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple Street, downtown Los Angeles, for healing due to the harm caused by the Dodger’s decision to honor a group that intentionally denigrates and profanes the Christian faith.

“Friday, we celebrate the feast of Jesus’ Sacred Heart,” Archbishop Gomez said. “We remember how much he loves us, and we ask him to give us a heart like his, meek and humble and filled with compassion. We will be praying in a special way for our city and country, for an end to prejudice, and for renewed respect for the religious beliefs of all Angelenos and all Americans.”

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has called on all Catholics and people of goodwill to stand together in prayer, following the Dodger’s plans to honor the group. In a message to the faithful, the Archdiocese emphasized the “disappointment, dismay and pain” caused by the actions of the group against the Christian faith and the Dodger’s decision to honor the group even after acknowledging the concerns of the community.

“The Archdiocese of Los Angeles stands for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which means we stand against any form of bigotry, hate or sacrilege,” stated the message. “The Archdiocese calls on Catholics to stand together in prayer.  The hurt in our hearts can only be healed by the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Likewise, we can be set on fire by his love to witness to the sacred truth, goodness, and beauty of our faith with conviction and courage.”

The Archdiocese invited all parishes to pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, June 16, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, at Mass or during a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  Additionally, leading up to this moment of prayer, parishes have been encouraged to include special petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful at daily and Sunday Masses.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also called on Catholics nationwide to join the Archdiocese in prayer on June 16 by praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart and making an act of reparation—an act offered to the Lord with the intention of repairing the spiritual damage inflicted by sin.

The invitation signed by the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, joined by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, stated that “Catholic Christians traditionally recognize June as the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During this time, we call to mind Christ’s love for us, which is visible in a special way in the image of His pierced heart, and we pray that our own hearts might be conformed to His, calling us to love and respect all His people.”

“It has been heartening to see so many faithful Catholics and others of good will stand up to say that what this group does is wrong, and it is wrong to honor them. We call on Catholics to pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart on June 16, offering this prayer as an act of reparation for the blasphemies against our Lord we see in our culture today,” concluded the invitation.

For more information visit lacatholics.org/sacredtruth/.