Padre Mike Umoh
Following the ongoing crisis in Russia and Ukraine, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, today March 25, 2022, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, consecrates the two countries to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting Bishops all over the world to lead their flock to join him.
In communion with the Pope and in response to his invitation, the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, held a solemn consecration service, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Antonio Guido Filipazzi, at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Area 3 Garki, Abuja.
To begin the service, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama welcomed the Papal envoy, all members of the diplomatic corps, Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, some eminent personalities, and the people of God in Abuja Archdiocese.
He acknowledged that the gathering is in response to the clarion call by Pope Francis for God’s people to raise their voices in prayer to God through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for an end to violence and suffering in the war torn areas and all over the world.
In his reflection, the Nuncio noted that everyone longs for good news, be it for family, for their country or for the world. This explains why the Holy Father has called for the gathering today, to invoke the gift of peace for Ukraine and Russia and for the whole world. He however remarked that “indeed, the only truly good news in all of history is that God became man to save humanity.”
The Papal Envoy enjoined the faithful to heed to the Pope’s invitation “to join him in renewing the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Ukraine and Russia,” noting that Nigeria was also consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1954 (Lagos) and in 2018 (Benin).
“This is the true, profound answer to the sufferings caused by many forms of violence (how can we not think, for example, of what has happened once again in the last days in Southern Kaduna?) and to the other challenges that Nigeria faces every day,” he added.
Moreover, Archbishop Filipazzi presented the three truths of Fatima as fundamental to making a meaningful act of consecration. These are: to sincerely hate sin and never give up the fight against temptation; shun false devotion; and seek true conversion, reinforced by a life of prayer, penance and reparation.
“Aware of these truths that come from the Gospel, let us make the act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in union with Pope Francis and the whole Catholic Church and ask for the grace to live personally and as a community the commitments that this consecration entails and requires, so that peace may return to Ukraine, Nigeria and every part of the world,” he concluded.
Remarkably, the devoted people of God waved white handkerchiefs during the procession as a symbol of peace for the world.
