Do you recall how after the invasion of Ukraine, at the request of the Ukrainian Bishops, Pope Francis agreed to the consecration of Russia as specifically asked for by Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal in 1917? We were all able to join in that act of consecration in our Sunday congregations. Those were days of deep concern, a concern which if anything is even more pressing now with the possibility of world-wide conflict. That consecration stands as our trust that we have Mary’s intercessory influence with her Son, our Lord Jesus. Here is how Pope Francis described what he did that day, the 25th of March 2022:
“Today, renewed by forgiveness, may we too knock at the door of her immaculate heart. In union with the Bishops and faithful of the world, I desire in a solemn way to bring all that we are presently experiencing to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
“I wish to renew to her the consecration of the Church and the whole of humanity, and to consecrate to her in a particular way the Ukrainian people and the Russian people who, with filial affection, venerate her as a Mother.
“This 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.”
Dear friends, in the month of August 2023 the Catholic Church has two special Marian days, the 15th Feast of the Assumption, and the 22nd the Memorial of Our Lady, Mother and Queen. May I suggest that from now, and throughout August, it is more than appropriate to reflect on that spiritual act initiated by Pope Francis, to renew in minds and hearts this trust in the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
