As the nations of the world grapple with a worldwide pandemic, and seek ways to protect themselves from the spread of an aggressive virus, many countries have turned in a solemn way to Our Blessed Mother for refuge and protection.
Do not fear this sickness nor any other sickness, nor any sharp and hurtful thing. Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.
These are the words of Our Lady to St. Juan Diego as she appeared to him in Mexico on December 12, 1531. Her words are words of consolation to soothe the saint’s anxiety over the condition of his uncle.
However, these words are words of consolation for us as well during this time of pandemic, where many are consumed with fear, worry and disquiet.
Even from the first days of the Church, immediately following Our Lord’s death and resurrection, the new born Church clung to the Blessed Virgin Mary for strength and consolation. As the Apostles were filled with fear awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, they gathered around Our Lord’s mother, seeking her maternal care and protection.
On April 12, Easter Sunday of 2020, the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean made a solemn act of consecration of Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, Canada and Philippines to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Read the news about this here.
Next week, May 1st, the Bishops of the United States and of Canada will make an act of consecration of these countries to Our Lady under the title “Mary, Mother of the Church”. Find more news about it here.
These are not the only consecrations to Our Blessed Mother during these times.
Our Holy Father Pope Francis led the Church on March 10th, when he entrusted Rome, Italy and “the world to the protection of the Mother of God, as a sign of salvation and hope.” Read more here.
On March 25th, Feast of the Annunciation, 24 countries were consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Fatima. These countries were Spain, Portugal, Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Slovakia, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Mexico, Moldova, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Romania, Tanzania, East Timor and Zimbabwe. Read more here.
On the same day, Ireland also consecrated herself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Read more here.
England was re-dedicated as “Mary’s Dowry” on March 29th. Read more here.
On May 1st, the Bishops of Italy will consecrate that country to Our Lady, asking for her protection. Read more here.
We ask you to join the Church in begging for Our Lady’s intercession for God’s mercy on the world. Let us turn to our Mother with confidence, she who holds us “in the hollow of her mantle, in the crossing of her arms.”
Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us!
