NEWS PROVIDED BY
CatholicVote
March 11, 2026
WASHINGTON, March 11, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — CatholicVote has launched Zeale for America 250, a nationwide prayer campaign led by Cardinal Raymond L. Burke to spiritually prepare for the 250th anniversary of the United States. The effort is part of the White House America Prays initiative to get one million Americans to pray an hour a week for our country. CatholicVote is an official partner.
Through Zeale for America 250 Catholics are invited to take part in a virtual pilgrimage of prayer centered on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and formation in the virtue of patriotism, all under the motherly mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.
“Pope St. John Paul II was once asked how to defeat communism. ‘I need nuns behind that wall’ he reportedly said. Prayer, sacrifice and a willingness to do spiritual battle,” said CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt, who herself spent nearly a decade with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville Dominicans). “I echo his cry. We need Americans committed to pray daily to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the renewal of our country that only God can bring.”
The campaign includes a daily prayer for America at her 250th anniversary, an eight-part video series about the virtue of patriotism, guidance on enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes, and a 4th of July novena, all authored by Cardinal Burke. It also encourages the faithful to form Zeale for America 250 prayer groups in their parishes, families, and communities.
The centerpiece is the Zeale for America 250 Rally, Saturday, June 13, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, featuring Cardinal Burke, Michael J. Knowles and other nationally respected Catholic leaders to be announced. Thousands of Catholics are expected to gather for prayer, formation, and fellowship as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding.
“I am grateful to join CatholicVote in this important endeavor of prayer for our nation,” Cardinal Burke said. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding, it is fitting that we turn with humble confidence to Almighty God, acknowledging our dependence upon His Providence and imploring His Divine Mercy. It is my earnest hope that every Catholic in America will unite with us in this commitment to prayer throughout the year and especially during the Season of Lent, asking the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to renew our hearts and to guide our nation in the way of truth, justice, and peace.”
“With the participation of America’s faithful, we will make our nation’s 250th anniversary not only a celebration of her past achievements but also a renewed commitment to her spiritual future,” Reinhardt added. “We will transform our country by asking Our Lord to grant her sincere spiritual renewal and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”
Now in its 20th year, CatholicVote is America’s top Catholic advocacy organization, leading the fight for faith, family, and freedom. Its mission is to inspire every Catholic in America to live the truths of the Catholic faith in public life. CatholicVote recently launched Zeale, a new digital platform putting high-quality Catholic content, community, and prayer directly into the hands of everyone who wants to bring faith into their daily life. Zeale is the new home for The LOOP, the popular daily news roundup.
SOURCE CatholicVote
CONTACT: Laurie Olsen, 571-305-3814, lolsen@catholicvote.org