The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines announced on Tuesday that Philippine bishops will join Pope Francis’ consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25.
According to Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, CBCP Secretary-General, Philippine bishops will also hold the act of consecration in their respective dioceses on the same day.
According to the Vatican’s translation of the messages of Fatima, when Mary appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima in 1917, she told them, “God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved, and there will be peace.”
The Fatima apparitions of 1917 are among the popular Marian apparitions of the Catholic Church, wherein three secrets were revealed by Mary through the appearances.
The second secret was a statement that World War I would end, and a prediction of another war that would start during the reign of Pius XI, if people continued to offend God and if Russia was not consecrated to her Immaculate Heart.
After the Fatima apparitions, there were various acts of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Vatican announced on March 15 that Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The consecration will take place during a penance service in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5 p.m. local time.
Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, will carry out the same act on the same day at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.
CBCP has called dioceses to have a special collection at all masses on March 20 to support the victims of war. (Fatima Llanza/RCAM-AOC)
