The Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Friday, March 25, 2022

In a video message, Archbishop José H. Gomez invites us to join him and Pope Francis in a special moment of prayer on Friday, March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, when the Holy Father will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, entrusting their peoples to Our Lady's maternal care and protection, and for the end of the war and violence.

"In this time when our world is weighed down under the shadow of war, I invite you to enter into this solemn moment of prayer with the Holy Father. Together with him, let us ask our Blessed Mother to turn her eyes of mercy towards all her children. Let us ask her to intercede with her Son, to deliver her children from evil and grant us peace," said Archbishop Gomez.
 

Tolling of Cathedral Bells

Friday, March 25, 2022

At 9:00am, to announce when our Holy Father begins the Sacred Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we will toll the Cathedral's bell 29 times – as a reminder to pray and to mark the 29 days since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
 

Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

During our 12:10 PM Mass at the Cathedral, we will recite the Prayer of Consecration, echoing the prayers of the faithful all throughout the world.

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)

Candle Lighting

At the end of Mass, Fr. David Gallardo, our Pastor, will invite those present to light a candle in the Sanctuary.

The first consecration of Russia to Our Lady's Heart happened for the first time in the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. After the apparitions of Fatima there have been several acts of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, when Pope Pius XII consecrated the whole world on October 31, 1942, and when he consecrated Russia on July 7, 1952. He specifically consecrated Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through the Apostolic Letter Sacro vergente anno, when Christians were forced to live in an atheistic communist regime. Pope St Paul VI in 1964, and Pope St John Paul II in 1981, 1982, and 1984 renewed this consecration of the whole human race.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord refers to the time when the Angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary to tell her she would be the mother of the savior. Solemnities in the Catholic Church are relevant celebrations. During this day, the faithful are called to help pregnant women. The Hail Mary prayer was created based on the Annunciation of the Lord.
 

For more information and to view the Archbishop's video, visit https://lacatholics.org/prayforukraine.