Help Ukrainians survive the war: LifeFunder
LVIV, Ukraine (LifeSiteNews) – The Roman Catholic Bishops of Ukraine have asked Pope Francis to “consecrate” Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, “as requested by the Blessed Virgin in Fatima,” to bring an end to the current conflict.
In a short appeal released the morning of Ash Wednesday, March 2, the Roman Catholic Bishops in Ukraine addressed Pope Francis directly, urging him to complete the consecration of Russia as Our Lady of Fatima requested. Referencing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the bishops spoke of “these hours of immeasurable pain and terrible ordeal” and called for the consecration as a remedy for the conflict.
The statement reads:
Holy Father! In these hours of immeasurable pain and terrible ordeal for our people, we, the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Ukraine, are spokesmen for the unceasing and heartfelt prayer, supported by our priests and consecrated persons, which comes to us from all Christian people that Your Holiness will consecrate our Motherland and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Responding to this prayer, we humbly ask Your Holiness to publicly perform the act of consecration to the Sacred Immaculate Heart of Mary of Ukraine and Russia, as requested by the Blessed Virgin in Fatima.
May the Mother of God, Queen of Peace, accept our prayer: Regina pacis, ora pro nobis!
The Catholic bishops have also published a suggested act of consecration of Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart (full text below and pdf link here), which they encourage to be said privately and after Mass.
A growing number of Catholics and high-ranking prelates have been asking Pope Francis to perform the consecration in recent years. In 2017, the 100th anniversary of the year in which Our Lady called for the consecration to be made, Cardinal Raymond Burke made a number of public addresses calling for the consecration.
“Today, once again, we hear the call of Our Lady of Fatima to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart, in accord with her explicit instruction,” he said at the 2017 Rome Life Forum.
“It is evident that the consecration (of Russia) was not carried out in the manner requested by Our Lady,” he added in October 2017. “Recognizing the necessity of a total conversion from atheistic materialism and communism to Christ, the call of Our Lady of Fatima to consecrate Russia to Her Immaculate Heart in accord with Her explicit instruction remains urgent.”
The cardinal doubled down in 2020, linking the global crisis caused through response to COVID-19 to the consecration not having occurred. “The consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is more needed today than ever,” he said.
“When we witness how the evil of atheistic materialism, which has its roots in Russia, directs in a radical way the government of the People’s Republic of China, we recognize that the great evil of communism must be healed at its roots through the consecration of Russia, as Our Lady has directed,” Cardinal Burke continued.
The explicit consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart was asked for by Our Lady of Fatima. On her July 13, 1917 apparition, Our Lady told the three children of the vital importance of consecrating Russia to her Immaculate Heart:
When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that He is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the communion of reparation on the first Saturday’s.
If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace. If not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.
Pope John Paul II made an “entrustment-consecration” of the world, including Russia, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, 1984, but he deliberately avoided making the explicit mention of Russia as Our Lady had requested.
German Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes confirmed in 2017 that John Paul II “held back [from mentioning] Russia explicitly because the Vatican diplomats had urgently asked him not to mention this country because otherwise political conflicts might perhaps arise.”
The late Father Gabriele Amorth, former chief exorcist of Rome, had already noted how the consecration had not been performed as requested, saying “a specific consecration has not yet been made.”
According to Sister Lucia of #Fatima: “Whether the world has war or peace depends on the practice of this devotion [i.e., the First Saturdays], along with the consecration [of Russia] to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” — Letter to Fr. Jose da Silva Aparicio, March 19, 1939 pic.twitter.com/VXz1c5rJ0y
— Matt Gaspers (@MattGaspers) February 25, 2022
In light of the bloody conflict between Russia and Ukraine, along with the growing global unrest, LifeSiteNews has resurrected its petition for the Pope to consecrate Russia as Our Lady specifically requested.
Text of the Catholic Bishops’ of Ukraine’s consecration of Ukraine
Beloved Queen and Our Mother, Queen of the Holy Rosary, Help of Christians, Salvation of the human race, Victorious Virgin, here we humbly fall before You, that You may bring our sincere prayers to Almighty God in the Trinity.
We come in full confidence that we beg for mercy and protection for our Motherland in this dramatic time of war. Mother of Mercy, we ask this not for our merits, which we do not count on, but in view of the infinite goodness of Your Heart and the saving Blood of Christ, Your Son.
May the suffering and cries for help of so many people touch you. Have mercy on the wounded and victims of the shelling, orphans and widows, all those who were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in safer places. Ask for mercy for those who gave their lives defending their neighbors and our Motherland.
O Immaculate Mother, ask God for the grace of conversion, and we especially ask for the conversion of Russia and all those who are blinded by hatred or thirst for power. Pray for us first of all those graces which can change human hearts in an instant, and which will prepare and bring such a coveted peace! Above all, bring us the gift of spiritual peace so that the Kingdom of God may grow in peace and harmony.
Queen of Peace, ask us for the grace of true reconciliation with God and with each other, so that we can give each other a hand of help and support.
The throne of wisdom, inspire all rulers to make wise decisions and strengthen the efforts of those who contribute to the end of war and peace.
Queen of the Apostles, ask for our pastors the gift of strong faith and zeal in the completion of the Sacraments, so that at this time we may all be united at the Eucharistic table and in zealous prayer.
Heal the sick, strengthen all medical staff and volunteers who care for the sick and wounded, ask for their spiritual and physical strength. Be healing for the sick, strengthening for the dying and fun for their loved ones.
Just as the Church and all mankind were consecrated to the Heart of Your Divine Son, and in Him we hope to become an inexhaustible source of victory and salvation for all, so we dedicate ourselves forever to You and to Your Immaculate Heart, our Mother and Queen, that Your love and care may ensure the victory of the Kingdom of God, and that our Ukraine and all nations reconciled among themselves and with God may bless and glorify You. Amen!