蜜桃交友

By Devin Watkins

The Pope is formally inviting every Catholic Bishop around the world to join him on Friday, 25 March, to pray a “solemn Act of Consecration of humanity, and Russia and Ukraine in particular, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

Pope Francis made the appeal in a letter sent on Wednesday to all Bishops.

In his letter, the Pope lamented the “immense suffering” the war in Ukraine is inflicting upon its “sorely tried people” and which is “threatening world peace.”

Invoke peace for Ukraine

The Pope expressed his gratitude to the many Catholics who have responded “with great generosity to my appeals for prayer, fasting, and charity.”

He said his decision to perform the Act of Consecration for the nations at war came partly in response to the “numerous requests by the People of God."

He said the choice to perform the Act at Friday’s Lenten penitential service is particularly fitting, since it allows us to “invoke peace with hearts renewed by God’s forgiveness.”

The Act of Consecration will take place about 6:30 PM Rome time, and the Pope will lead the prayer in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The entire Celebration of Penance will be broadcast across Pope’ channels—radio, YouTube, website, and Facebook—and accompanied by English-language commentary.

Imploring end to violence

Pope Francis went on to lay out the meaning behind the consecration of Russia and Ukraine.

The Pope then invited all Bishops, priests, religious, and Catholic faithful to “assemble in their places of prayer on 25 March, so that God’s Holy People may raise a heartfelt and choral plea to Mary our Mother.”

He also attached so that everyone might “recite it throughout that day, in fraternal union.”

Cooperation of all Catholics

Pope Francis wrapped up his letter to the world’s Bishops thanking everyone for their attention and “ready cooperation.”

And he blessed the Bishops and the faithful entrusted to their care. "May Jesus protect you and the Holy Virgin watch over you," he prayed.