Russia’s Final Consecration?

TRANSCRIPT

The Vatican confirmed this morning that Pope Francis is inviting the bishops of the world to join with him to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Is this the moment faithful Catholics have been waiting for? Church Militant's Paul Murano explains the timeline of events.

Papal Diplomat Christophe Pierre issued a letter to U.S. bishops on Thursday.

It informed them that Pope Francis "will lead an Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th."

The letter goes on: "The Holy Father intends to invite each bishop, or equivalent in law, together with his priests, to join in this act of consecration, if possible, at an hour corresponding to 5 p.m. Rome time."

As of Friday, several bishops' conferences have pledged to participate: the bishops of the Philippines, Latin America and the Caribbean, Ireland, England and Wales.

The consecration is a solemn request by the Blessed Mother. She first mentioned to the child seers of Fatima in 1917 that she would be asking for the consecration of Russia.

In 1929, the Queen of Heaven formally made the request to Sr. Lucia.

Consecration attempts were made by Popes Pius XII, John Paul II and even Pope Francis in 2013. None of these attempts, however, named Russia in a solemn public act and in union with all the bishops of the world as Our Lady requested.

In a papacy that's been fraught with moral, doctrinal and liturgical confusion, the consecration of Russia is a surprising change of pace. Catholics have yet to see how this will pan out. 

According to Sr. Lucia, Russia would eventually be consecrated, but it will be late.