CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
On the same day that the Church is celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Pope Francis on Friday, March 25 consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a prayer asking for peace in the world.
Seated before a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Francis said: “The people of Ukraine and Russia, who venerate you with great love, now turn to you, even as your heart beats with compassion for them and all those peoples destroyed by war, hunger, injustice, and poverty.”
“Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days.”
In his homily, the Pope said that the consecration “is no magic formula but a spiritual act.”
“It is an act of complete trust on the part of children who, amid the tribulation of this cruel and senseless war that threatens our world, turn to their Mother, reposing all their fears and pain in her heart and abandoning themselves to her,” he said.
The live-streamed liturgy began with the chanting of the Latin hymn “Attende, Domine,” which means “Hear us, O Lord.”
The first reading was from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians. “He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins,” the lector read.
The responsorial psalm, “The Lord has made known his salvation” was taken from Psalm 97.
The Gospel was the story of the Annunciation from Luke 1:26-38 when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced that she would conceive Jesus, the Son of God.
The Gospel was followed by a homily from Pope Francis, who said that the conflict in Ukraine cannot be ended by our power alone, but requires God’s love.
Pope Francis also urged Catholics to not be afraid to approach God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
After the homily, the pope led a period of silence to make an examination of conscience.
Then there was a general confession of sins, where the assembly and Pope Francis together prayed the Confiteor, followed by the chanting of “Kyrie Eleison,” which is Greek for “Lord, have mercy.”
After the Our Father prayer, individuals could receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from priests present throughout the basilica.
During the confessions, periods of silence were alternated with Lenten chants.
The celebration ended with the presentation of white flowers and the singing of a song of thanksgiving to the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
SOURCE: CBCP NEWS: Catholic News Agency
By: Hannah Brockhaushttps://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250796/pope-francis-consecrates-...
March 26, 2022