The Holy Father, Pope Francis has asked all of the people of God to join him in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through prayer. Today, we join millions of Catholics around the world in this prayer for peace.
What does it mean to consecrate?
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service. In this instance, we are joining the Holy Father in prayer for Ukraine and Russia, placing these countries under Mary’s protection and seeking her intercession as Our Lady of Peace to intercede for us and our world in this time of war.
The significance of praying on this day
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord– the wonderful day when the archangel Gabriel visited Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Jesus. On this day, we give thanks for the gift of Jesus, the Prince of Peace and for the goodness of Mary, the Queen of Peace, who through her answer “Let it be done unto me according to your Word” gave the world its saviour.
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Mary, Mother of God and our mother, in this time of trial we turn to you. You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the prince of peace. Amid evil and war, you remind us that God never abandons us, but continues to look upon us with love, ever ready to forgive us and raise us up to new life. He has given you to us and made your Immaculate Heart a refuge for the church and for all humanity.
Therefore, O Loving Mother, hear our prayer: help us out of the depravity of war, inspire reconciliation, restore God’s peace to the world, eliminate hatred, and teach us forgiveness. Queen of the Rosary, make us realise our need to pray and to love. Queen of Peace, obtain peace for our world from your Son, the Prince of Peace.
At this hour, we stand with you beneath the cross, entrusting to you the people of Ukraine and Russia. Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the church and all humanity, especially the people of Russia and Ukraine. Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love.
Grant that war may end and peace spread throughout the world. We trust that, through your Immaculate heart, peace will dawn once more. To you we consecrate the future of the whole human family, the needs and expectations of every people, the anxieties and hopes of the world. Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days.
Amen.