March 24, 2022
Dear Saint Mary’s Community,
Pope Francis has asked the universal church to join him in making an act of consecration for humanity to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. For almost a month, war between Russia and Ukraine has persisted, and immense human suffering continues to occur. Through the act of consecration, we will be entrusting all of humanity, in particular Russia and Ukraine, to Mary and her intercession for God’s mercy and peace on behalf of our brothers and sisters.
I invite you to participate in this worldwide consecration in one of two ways:
In person/in Winona — Daily Mass will be celebrated at 12:15 p.m. in the Saint Thomas More Chapel by our university chaplain, Fr. Kevin Stolt, IVE. We will pray the act of consecration together immediately following the Mass.
For the Twin Cities and Rochester Campuses/on your own — For those who are unable to attend and wish to participate, here is the Act of Consecration.
Pope Francis shares, “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.”
Together, may God’s Holy People “raise a heartfelt and choral plea to Mary our Mother,” so that the mercy of God be upon us and peace reign in our world again.
Our Lady of Peace, pray for us.
Marisa J. Naryka, Ed.D.
Vice President for Mission & Ministry
