5 things to know about the Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Here are five things you need to know about Friday’s Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

What is the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and when will it take place?

Pope Francis has invited all bishops to join him in an Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, at noon Eastern Time. Pope Francis will preside in St. Peter’s Basilica for the celebration of penance, at which time he will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, praying for the end of the war between the countries.

What is happening in the Baltimore area?

Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate a special Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland March 25 at 5:30 p.m. This Mass is open to the public and attendance is encouraged.

How can we watch?

The global Catholic broadcasting network EWTN will provide coverage of the noon Mass from St. Peter’s. EWTN is available on most cable TV systems and can be livestreamed at https://www.ewtn.com/tv/watch-live. The 5:30 p.m. Mass from the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen can be viewed via livestream as well at https://www.youtube.com/user/cathedralofmary/videos.

What are the highlights of the prayers of the consecration?

In the text of the pope’s prayer sent to chanceries around the globe so that bishops can join the pope, a key passage for many observers reads: “Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine.” With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and responding to a request particularly from Ukrainian bishops, Pope Francis had announced that he would make the act of consecration during a previously scheduled Lenten penance service in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal almoner, will lead the act of consecration at the same time at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. When Mary appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima in 1917 with a message encouraging prayer and repentance, she also asked for the consecration of Russia to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. While popes, especially St. John Paul II in 1984, made acts of consecration, they did not mention “Russia” out loud, which led some people to think that the Fatima request had not been fulfilled, even though the last surviving visionary, Sister Lucia dos Santos, said St. John Paul had done so. The papal text pleads with Mary to “accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end, and peace spread throughout the world.”

What can I do if I can’t attend Mass on March 25?

Archbishop Lori invites everyone to pray the rosary on this day for a swift end to the war. In addition, prayer cards are available from Catholic Review Media featuring a photo of a statue of Mary at Fatima, Portugal, and the prayer of consecration requested by the Blessed Mother. Cards are $15 per 100, plus shipping, and available online at https://crmedia.myshopify.com/products/prayer-card-consecration-of-russia. Faithful can also support charities assisting refugees. Visit https://catholicreview.org/where-to-give-to-help-ukraine/ for a full story on ways to donate to charitable efforts.