FORT LAUDERDALE | Joining more than 57 cities/states and six countries worldwide, the City of Fort Lauderdale has now been consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Mass of consecration took place Jan. 31 at St. Anthony Church, the oldest Catholic church in Broward County. Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrated the Mass alongside other archdiocesan priests. The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, John P. Seiler, and county commissioners were among those in attendance.

�It�s a tremendous blessing for the city, for our citizens, especially for the men and women who serve the public and work every day to try to make this the best city to work, play and raise a family in; and to have those blessings we got today is a wonderful feeling,� said Seiler, a Catholic who attended St. Anthony School, Cardinal Gibbons High School and the University of Notre Dame.

The consecration was arranged by the Mission for the Love of God Worldwide, an organization that seeks to restore an awareness of God as the center of the daily lives of people throughout the world.

The Mission�s founder, John Rick Miller, explains consecration this way in the group�s website: �When we consecrate ourselves to God, a pact is established between the Father and his child. It is an act that will never be broken by God, but one that is our responsibility to uphold. It is a bond of love and protection.�

In Florida, the community of Key Biscayne was consecrated to God the Father at an ecumenical celebration at St. Agnes Church in 2011; in 2012, the city of Doral was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. In 2013, Archbishop Wenski consecrated the City of Miami, placing it under the protection of God.

�Today�s act of consecration brings together citizens to pray for their city � that we do so is a particular expression of our rights guaranteed by the first amendment of our nation�s constitution,� said the archbishop during his homily. �Praying for our city, praying not for any partisan advantage or cause but for the common good is certainly an expression of civic responsibility on the part of those who do believe that God does matter. But, at the same time, today�s consecration is, for us Catholics, an opportunity to renew and deepen our baptismal consecration as a response to the love of Jesus and his mother, Mary, for each one of us.�

Honor Guards from Fort Lauderdale�s Fire & Rescue and Police Department led the procession into the church, followed by the Knights of Columbus. The Pledge of Allegiance preceded the Mass and at its conclusion, Mayor Seiler presented St. Anthony�s pastor, Father Jeremiah Singleton, with a plaque commemorating the consecration. The celebration ended with the hymn �God Bless America.�

�I feel very happy that the mayor accepted to do this ceremony and I�m grateful to God for this opportunity,� said Lillian Peirce, South Florida director of the Mission for the Love of God Worldwide. �I pray that this serves as an inspiration to other leaders and mayors to put God first in their lives, family, business or government.�