“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.” – Pope Francis

On March 25, 2022 at the Basilica of St. Peter, one month into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. What does it mean to consecrate? Consecrate means to make or declare something sacred – to formally dedicate to a divine or religious purpose. To consecrate a country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is to draw the very spring of life near, through our mother Mary’s intervention.

Members of the Carrollton community watched the consecration virtually during the alumnae weekend. Mr. Kalkus wrote an email to the community likening the war in the Ukraine today to the upset of the French Revolution during St. Madeleine Sophie’s time. “During this time of espacio, I could not help but think of St. Madeleine Sophie and her response to the tumultuous times she and her society were living.  She dedicated her life to seeking change and peace by forming girls and young women to discover and make God’s love known, thereby making their world a better one.  We see the fruits of that mission through our own Carrollton alumnae as we all continue to hope, pray, and work for peace in our own times.”

Our school chaplain Fr. Vallee said, “the Holy Father renews this idea that while we are against communism and atheism, we are not against the people of Russia….The very first thing we have to do is pray for peace and love and compassion in our hearts.”

An excerpt from Pope Francis’ prayer follows:

“Therefore, O Mother, hear our prayer.

Star of the Sea, do not let us be shipwrecked in the tempest of war.

Ark of the New Covenant, inspire projects and paths of reconciliation.

Queen of Heaven, restore God’s peace to the world.

Eliminate hatred and the thirst for revenge, and teach us forgiveness.

Free us from war, protect our world from the menace of nuclear weapons.

Queen of the Rosary, make us realize our need to pray and to love.

Queen of the Human Family, show people the path of fraternity.

Queen of Peace, obtain peace for our world.”