Bishop of Metuchen to join in consecration of Russia, Ukraine to Mary

PISCATAWAY – In communion with Pope Francis, Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen will join in prayer as the Holy Father consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25.
 
The bishop’s participation in the act of consecration will take place at the 12:10 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, in solidarity with the prayer of the Holy Father who will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the same exact time in Rome. All are welcome to attend in person or participate through the cathedral’s livestream accessible through their website: www.stfranciscathedral.org. 
 
“These past few weeks certainly have been somber and sobering, especially as we hear the stories and see the photos and video footage of families being divided by war, with children and their mothers fleeing from bombs and bullets,” said Bishop Checchio. “My heart aches for them, knowing all they have lost and watching as they face the uncertainty of their future.”
 
Earlier this month, in response to calls for prayer and the needs of the Ukrainian people, Bishop Checchio participated in a Divine Liturgy held at Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption, Perth Amboy, and also invited parishes in the diocese to participate in a special Collection to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, which will allow the faithful to provide assistance to the victims of war in Ukraine and many other projects in the region, especially with refugees entering Poland and other countries. Anyone wishing to support to the collection is invited to donate online by visiting: diometuchen.org/Ukraine.
 
Pope Francis first announced his intention to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 15 and three days later invited Catholic bishops worldwide to join him in the consecration. The same act, on the same day is expected to be performed by bishops around the globe. 
 
“When I first learned of the Holy Father’s intention to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to our Blessed Mother, I immediately thought of the Ukrainian children living in the midst of air raid sirens and ceaseless gunfire and how their parents, particularly their mothers, must be doing all they can to comfort them and keep them safe,” said the bishop. “This is what our Blessed Mother does for us too. Through this act of consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we are turning to Mary, our Blessed Mother, seeking her tender mercy and compassionate care and asking for her intercession. Just as Mary, the Mother of God, cradled her Son and remained at the foot of the cross, enduring the suffering of her Son, she remains with us now. Through our struggles and our sufferings, she never abandons us or forsakes us.”
 
In her 1917 apparition to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, Mary asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and encouraged prayer and repentance. She stated that if the request was grated, “Russia will be converted, and there will be peace.” She warned, “if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.”
 
“As we turn to our Blessed Mother, I invite all Catholics and people of goodwill to join me in prayerful solidarity with the Holy Father, as he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so that the Immaculate Heart of Mary will indeed triumph,” said Bishop Checchio. “Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and for the many people in their neighboring countries, who are helping to aid with this humanitarian crisis along the borders. They need our prayers and I can assure you that they certainly have mine, along with the many others that are being echoed by the faithful across the Diocese of Metuchen."