MONONA — In his homily on the Solemnity of the Annunciation in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison said that “one could possibly posit that there’s never been a precise historical moment in the entire unfolding of Salvation History when more people have been praying at exactly the same time for exactly the same thing. And, that is a fulfillment of the request that Our Lady made at Fatima for the consecration of Russia and for world peace.”
The power of prayer was indeed present and visible in the church on March 25.
With numbers that were literally standing room only, hundreds joined with the bishop, Pope Francis, and millions of Catholics around the world to pray for the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Many made time in their busy schedules to come to the Mass and prayer. Parents brought their small children along in what was a unique and profound moment for the Universal Church.
The pope had asked bishops around the world to join him in the consecration which he himself prayed for at St. Peter’s Basilica during a Lenten penance service.
Many bishops around the world timed their consecration prayers near the time of the one prayed by the pope.
Prayers from the diocese
Dozens of priests from around the diocese joined Bishop Hying at the 11 a.m. special Mass.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Hying knelt in front of the Our Lady of Fatima statue in the sanctuary and prayed silently for a few moments before leading the prayer.
Some in the assembly prayed along with the prayer on their phones, some printed it out, and others prayed along silently.
The prayer began, “O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, in this time of trial we turn to you. As our Mother, you love us and know us: no concern of our hearts is hidden from you. Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence! You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.”
The prayer later specifically mentioned the current world situation, saying, “Therefore, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine. Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end and peace spread throughout the world. The Fiat that arose from your heart opened the doors of history to the Prince of Peace. We trust that, through your heart, peace will dawn once more. To you we consecrate the future of the whole human family, the needs and expectations of every people, the anxieties and hopes of the world.”
Pope prays for consecration
At the Vatican, Pope Francis prayed before a statue of Mary that was loaned by the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at San Vittoriano on the outskirts of Rome. The pope pleaded with Mary to “accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end, and peace spread throughout the world.”
Sitting in front of the statue, which was placed before the steps of the main altar on a red platform and adorned with white roses, the pope proclaimed the act of consecration. During the prayer, the pope paused at several moments to gaze at the statue of Mary before continuing to recite the prayer.
After the consecration, the pope, accompanied by a young boy and girl, placed a bouquet of white roses at the feet of the statue. He then remained for a few moments, with eyes closed and head bowed in silent prayer, before stepping away.
According to the Vatican, an estimated 3,500 people filled St. Peter’s Basilica, while 2,000 people watched on video screens from St. Peter’s Square. Police asked pilgrims who entered St. Peter’s Basilica carrying or wearing Ukrainian flags to put them away since the event was a prayer service.
Catholic News Service contributed to part of this report.