Statement on Pope Francis’ Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
March 25, 2022
Updated: 3/22/22
Bishop Olmsted and Bishop Nevares invite all people of faith to join Pope Francis on Friday, March 25, 2022, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, in prayers of Consecration for Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The consecration will take place at 5:00 p.m. Rome time and 9:00 a.m. Arizona time.
The faithful are encouraged to attend Mass, spend time in prayer, and watch the live stream Consecration with Pope Francis. Some other suggestions for the faithful:
- The Holy Father is inviting all priests around the world to join him in Consecration on Friday, March 25. He will offer the Act of Consecration in the context of a Celebration of Penance to be held at Saint Peter’s Basilica at 5:00 p.m. Rome time, 9:00 a.m. Phoenix time. The Act itself will take place about 6:30 p.m. Rome time, 10:30 a.m. Phoenix time.
- The Holy Father is asking that people recite the prayer of consecration at some point throughout the day, as they see fit in their parish/school/community.
- Bishop Olmsted will celebrate Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation at 8:00 a.m. at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, along with the school community.
- Bishop Nevares will celebrate Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glendale at 8 a.m., along with the school community.
- We are encouraging our Catholic Schools to unite in prayer with the students during the 9 a.m. hour.
- If you are unable to attend a parish event, pause at the 9:00 a.m. hour and offer a period of silence, a decade of the Rosary and/or some other form of prayer.
- Parishes may ring their bells at 9:00 a.m. to announce the consecration and invite the community to participate in the prayer. Parishes may wish to promote ahead of time to their communities the purpose of the bell ringing via digital, print, and outdoor media, if possible, e.g., “Join us in prayer for peace in the Ukraine when the bells ring at 9 a.m., 3/25/22.”
- Spend time in prayer with the Blessed Sacrament.
- Unite in an act of charity and service. As a means of continued support, an online donation option towards the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy in Philadelphia is available on the Diocese of Phoenix website at https://dphx.org/ukraine/
