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December 13, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) – Thousands of Catholics gathered Sunday in a Mexico City stadium for a public act of “redress, reparation, and consecration” for their own sins and the sins of the country, in particular sins against human life, sexual morality, and the family. At the same time, they consecrated themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

According to the program published by organizers, the event began in Blue Stadium at 8:30 a.m., with several hours of singing and personal testimonies, followed by a Mass celebrated at noon by Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez, the archbishop emeritus of Guadalajara.

The cardinal linked recent natural disasters that have struck Mexico, including two earthquakes in September, to the wrath of God, who is offended by national sins against life and family.

Since abortion was legalized in Mexico City 10 years ago, more than 175,000 unborn children have been killed by the procedure, according to the statistics gathered by the city’s Secretariat of Health. The true number is likely to be much higher because the government does not gather statistics on abortions in private clinics.

After the Mass, participants marched out of the stadium along a route that included collapsed buildings from the September 19 earthquake, where they paused for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the quake — and victims of abortion. They proceeded to the parish of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, where the event concluded.

In the ancient style of Spanish penitential processions, a group of masked and hooded penitents flagellated themselves during the procession until blood streamed from their backs.

The event was publicized by Mexican actor Eduardo Verastegui, who has has committed his acting career to the service of God and his Catholic faith. Verastegui is reported to be in talks with the Social Encounter party over a possible presidential run in 2018.

According to the national media, between 2,000 and 3,000 people participated in the event. Event organizers gave a count of 10,000.