The Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops have issued a press release, inviting all the Canadian faithful and people of good will to join Pope Francis in praying for peace in Ukraine. The text of the release is below, or it can be read online at https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/catholic-bishops-of-canada-invite-all-canadian-faithful-to-join-pope-francis-and-to-pray-for-peace/.
In the Diocese of Victoria, Bishop Gary Gordon will join in the prayers consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the 7 pm Mass at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Victoria, BC on Friday, March 25. All are invited to participate in the Mass either in person or via livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVP3PYsEXjA
17 March 2022 – Ottawa – On Friday, 25 March 2022, Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the Celebration of Penance that he will preside over at 5:00 pm (Rome time), in St Peter’s Basilica.1 Pope Francis wishes to place the people of Ukraine and Russia under the protection of Mary, the Mother of God, with a special liturgical act. To this end, he will consecrate the two countries to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at a penitential celebration. This act has been well received by the Catholic Bishops in Ukraine2, as well as by the Russian Bishops.3
In response to Pope Francis’ decision to consecrate both Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Ukrainian Catholic leaders will prepare with a novena that will start on 17 March 2022. They hope that all Catholic faithful from around the world will join them.4 In view of this appeal, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, united with the Holy Father, invite their faithful and all people of good will to participate in the novena with the following prayer:
God of реасе and justice,
we pray for the реорlе of Ukraine today.
We pray for реaсе and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for аll those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or реасе,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above аll, we pray for аll your precious children, at-risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Реасе.
Amen.
In coordination with all the parishes/churches of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary, the Anglican Diocese of Calgary, the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, the Anglican Diocese of Athabasca, the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Paul, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, a Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine will be observed on Friday, 18 March 2022. For this purpose, a special Liturgy of the Word has been prepared. Other similar initiatives are encouraged and welcomed.
1 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html
2 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/ukraine-war-bishops-lviv-kyiv-pope-consecration-russia-mary.html
3 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2022-03/russia-bishop-pickel-ukraine-consecration.html
4 https://www.ncregister.com/cna/ukrainian-archbishop-calls-for-worldwide-novena-ahead-of-pope-francis-consecration-of-russia-and-ukraine
