Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Friday, March 25. The pope started with a celebration of penance at 5 p.m. (Rome time) and the Act of Consecration began around 6:30 p.m. Ukraine’s Latin Rite Catholic bishops— the bishops who lead that country’s Roman Catholics— wrote a letter to Pope Francis on March 2 asking him 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.” The consecration was performed in communion with the local Churches around the globe as the pope had invited the bishops of the whole world, along with their priests, to join him in the prayer.
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Bishop Walkowiak’s celebration of Mass, which began at noon local time corresponded to the start of the pope’s celebration. Mass was followed by a recitation of the rosary and concluded with the Act of Consecration. Nine hundred people (in person and online) joined the bishop to pray on March 25 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Grand Rapids.
Pope Francis asked for the prayer of consecration to be disseminated broadly “so that all of us can recite it throughout that day, in fraternal union,” empowering all the faithful to unite themselves to the consecration in whatever way their circumstances allow.
Click to read the Prayer of Consecration: English | Spanish | Vietnamese
Why is the Holy Father consecrating Russia and Ukraine to Mary?
What you need to know about consecration of Russia and Ukraine by Pope Francis (CNA, March 15)
Pope’s consecration of Russia and Ukraine a supreme act of trust in Our Lady (NCR commentary, March 16)
News & Updates
Pope invites bishops to join him in consecration of Russia and Ukraine (Vatican News, March 18)
Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima travels to Ukrainian city of Lviv (Vatican News, March 17)
Novena for the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Knights of Columbus)
