The first-class relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque will visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore as the next stop on their U.S. pilgrimage.

The sacred relics are traveling as part of a pilgrimage sponsored by the Knights of Columbus to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence following the June 11 Mass that consecrated the U.S. to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

While the relics are in Maryland, Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate Mass on July 5 at the basilica to commemorate the nation’s anniversary and welcome the faithful to venerate the relics.

The relics, which are usually housed in the Chapel of the Apparitions at St. Margaret Mary’s French convent, were flown from Paris to New York on June 2.

The reliquary that is touring the U.S. weighs nearly 150 pounds with its protective case. It contains St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’s clavicles, two of her ribs, and a small piece of her brain.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was a 17th-century French religious sister who experienced visions of Jesus revealing his Sacred Heart for over a year.

While praying in 1673, Margaret heard Jesus tell her that he wanted to show his love for people by encouraging a special devotion to his Sacred Heart.

Christ revealed ways to venerate his Sacred Heart and explained the immense love he has for humanity, appearing with his heart visible outside his chest, on fire, and surrounded by a crown of thorns.

She was canonized a saint for her works including her strong devotion in 1920.

Relics to continue U.S. journey

The relics previously traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the Mass consecrating the U.S. to the Sacred Heart. The U.S. bishops consecrated the nation as part of their plenary meeting on June 11.

In his homily at the consecration Mass, Archbishop Lori said: “We cannot come to the heart of Christ while pretending we have no need of his mercy.”

“The Sacred Heart does not divide; it reconciles,” he said. “It does not harden hearts; it transforms them. It does not simply invite us to receive love; it sends us forth to share it.”

Enclosed in the reliquary, the first-class relics were available for public veneration at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven, Connecticut, from June 24–27.

In celebration of Independence Day, the relics will visit two cities significant to America’s 250th anniversary including Washington, D.C., where they will be June 29 to July 1 at the St. John Paul II National Shrine.

On July 5 and 6, the relics will visit the Baltimore basilica until they return to New Haven, where they will be until July 18. More stops on the relics’ journey may be added while they are in the United States before returning to France.