杏MAP导航

By Joseph Tulloch

Speaking during his weekly General Audience in St Peter鈥檚 Square on Wednesday, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged believers to renew the consecration of humanity - especially Russia and Ukraine - to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Holy Father鈥檚 appeal came almost a year after he first prayed the Act of Consecration, at the annual 鈥�24 Hours for the Lord鈥� Lenten penitential service in the Vatican on the 25th March 2022.

鈥淎n act of complete trust鈥�

 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� initial consecration of Russia and Ukraine to Mary鈥檚 Immaculate Heart was a response, he said, to the war between the two countries.

鈥淭his is no magic formula,鈥� he explained at the time, 鈥渂ut 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.鈥�

A renewed appeal

This Wednesday, the 杏MAP导航 said that 鈥淢y thoughts go to the 25th March of last year, when, in union with all the bishops of the world, I consecrated the Church and humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.鈥�

鈥淟et us not tire of consecrating the cause of peace to the Queen of Peace,鈥� he continued. 鈥淚 would like to invite every believer and community, especially prayer groups, to renew the Act of Consecration to Our Lady every 25th March, so that she, who is Mother, might preserve us all in unity and peace.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 ended his appeal by remembering "tormented Ukraine", as he has at almost every General Audience since the outbreak of war, and urged his listeners never to forget the country, which, he said, 鈥渋s suffering very greatly.鈥�