On March 25, Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord, Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At the same time, the monks of Gethsemani prayed the Act of Consecration in solidarity with him and the universal Church. In the sanctuary, the monastery’s banner of Our Lady of Peace hung behind the altar as Br. Roger read aloud the Act of Consecration.

In his homily in Rome, Pope Francis said that that the consecration “is no magic formula but 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,” he said.

“It means placing in that pure and undefiled heart, where God is mirrored, the inestimable goods of fraternity and peace, all that we have and are, so that she, the Mother whom the Lord has given us, may protect us and watch over us.”

A few days prior, Archbishop Kurtz of Louisville had asked for the faithful to join him in praying in as close to the same time as possible with the Pope in Rome. At Gethsemani, this was Noon, around the time that Mass ends on Sundays and Solemnities. Accordingly, the community shared in this powerful prayer immediately after sharing Holy Communion.

In solidarity with all humanity, we pray for peace in Ukraine and all the world, and within our own hearts.

Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days.  Our Lady of the “Fiat”, on whom the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God.  May you, our “living fountain of hope”, water the dryness of our hearts.  In your womb Jesus took flesh; help us to foster the growth of communion.  You once trod the streets of our world; lead us now on the paths of peace.  Amen.

Read the full Act of Consecration on the Vatican website