Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25:
On March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the hope that peace may prevail in the countries. The Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates when Mary said yes to conceiving and bearing Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Standing before a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the Holy Father said, “The people of Ukraine and Russia, who venerate you with great love, now turn to you, even as your heart beats with compassion for them and for all those people decimated by war, hunger, injustice, and poverty.”
The people at St Peter’s Basilica were not the only people praying with Pope Francis that day however. Catholics all around the world joined Pope Francis in prayer.
At Kellenberg, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was offered by Fr. Daniel Griffin, S.M., after school in the Maria Regina Chapel. Mrs. Page also led a decade of the rosary, meditating on the mystery of the Annunciation. There were seventy-five students in attendance.
“It was nice to give the school community the chance to pray the same day as the Holy Father so that we could all pray for peace,” said Father Daniel about the service.
The prayers of the students, united with the Pope’s consecration, were a great display of the support and spirituality needed in this dark time.