Consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

On Friday, March 25, the Archdiocese of Toronto will answer the call of Pope Francis for dioceses around the world to pray for peace to help bring about an end to the war in Ukraine.

During a ceremony of prayer for peace at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

Locally, Cardinal Thomas Collins will celebrate the 12:10 p.m. (noon) Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica and pray the consecratory prayer. To watch the livestream, please visit https://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live/.

Across the archdiocese, many parishes will celebrate a noon Mass aligning with the Holy Father’s consecration at 5 p.m. Rome time. Please contact your parish to see if they are participating.

Speaking at a recent summit, Pope Francis said we all are called to pray so that those who “hold the fate of nations will leave no stone unturned to stop the war and open a constructive dialogue.”

Our Lady asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart in the Fatima apparition of July 1917. Fittingly, March 25 marks the 38th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s consecration of the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

If you would like to help Ukrainians in need, the Archdiocese of Toronto is currently accepting donations, which will be used both to relocate refugees to Canada via the Office of Refugees Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) and to help Ukrainians fleeing violence in Europe via the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). You can learn more here and donate here.