Today at 4pm (UK time) Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the protection of the Sacred Heart of Mary.The Pope has invited all Bishops, priests, religious, and Catholic faithful to
“assemble in their places of prayer on 25 March, so that God’s Holy People may raise a heartfelt and choral plea to Mary our Mother.”
Bishop David will begin the consecration service at 12.30 live from Northampton Cathedral and the faithful are encouraged to join him in prayer through the live stream
He has given you to us and made your Immaculate Heart a refuge for the Church and for all humanity Evoking the message of Fatima with these words, the mention of ‘refuge’, resonates with the ancient Marion prayer and our diocesan motto “Suub Tuum Praesidium” “Under Your Protection”. The message of Fatima proclaims “God has decided to establish devotion to my Immaculate Heart…” and “my Immaculate Heart will be your refuge”.
The prayer, known in Latin as Sub tuum Praesidium and first found in a Greek papyrus, c. 300 A.D., is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin.
We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Today we pray this prayer especially for an end to war and destruction and ask our Creator’s loving protection over our fractious world.