Consecration

Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, March 25, during the Celebration of Penance at which he will preside at 5 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. The same act, on the same day, the feast of the Annunciation, will be carried out in Fatima by His Eminence Cardinal Krajewski, Apostolic Almoner, as envoy of the Holy Father. Ukraine’s Latin Rite Catholic bishops asked Pope Francis earlier this month to consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, claiming that “in these hours of immeasurable pain and terrible ordeal for our people, we humbly ask Your Holiness to publicly perform the act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Ukraine and Russia, as requested by the Blessed Virgin in Fatima.” In the past, several popes have consecrated the entire Church and world to Mary. Pope Pius XII consecrated the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Oct. 31, 1942, and Pope St. John Paul II renewed that consecration on May 13, 1982, one year after his assassination attempt.  He repeated the consecration again on March 25, 1984, and once more on Oct. 8, 2000. Pope Francis during Oct. 2013 renewed the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and dedicated his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima. Many Bishops from around the globe will join the Holy Father in their diocese at that moment of prayer.