Bishop Barry C. Knestout and Catholics throughout the Diocese of Richmond and the world joined Pope Francis in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Friday, March 25, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
The bishop and six priests concelebrated the noon Mass, which was attended by nearly 230 people. Another 200 joined the Mass via livestream.
Among those watching the livestream were 20 members of Resurrection Parish, Moneta. They gathered at their church, decorated with posters of St. Michael the Archangel and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to participate in the liturgy and to pray the Act of Consecration.
During his homily, Bishop Knestout, referencing the first reading from Isaiah, said God establishes peace and grace in his Son to come.
“God offers peace and grace to his people; ask for it, be open to it,” he said. “There is no limit to God’s grace.”
The bishop noted that Catholics are encouraged to seek forgiveness during Lent.
“The fruit of that forgiveness is that we might know God’s peace in our hearts and see it manifested in world around us,” he said.
Reflecting on Mary’s response to the angel — “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word” — Bishop Knestout said her words are about salvation for the entire world.
“Mary leads the way for us, always inviting us to a relationship with her son, the Prince of Peace, always to a deeper relationship with her son, a communion with him,” he said. “We offer this consecration, this dedication, setting aside good and holiness for people who are experiencing strife and division, war and suffering in the midst of that.”
Bishop Knestout concluded his homily by reading Pope Francis’ letter to the world’s bishops regarding the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, emphasizing the pope’s statement: “This Act of Consecration is meant to be a gesture of the universal Church, which in this dramatic moment lifts up to God, through his Mother and ours, the cry of pain of all those who suffer and implore an end to the violence, and to entrust the future of our human family to the Queen of Peace.”
Following the Creed and the prayer of the faithful, the bishop knelt before the statue of the Blessed Mother and led the congregation in praying the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.