Bishop Mark Hagemoen is calling for prayers for peace, joining others around the globe praying in unity with Pope Francis who intends to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday, March 25, 2022, the Feast of the Assumption.
A consecration ceremony will be held in Saskatoon at the 12:15 p.m. Mass Friday, March 25 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, and live-streamed at saskatoonmass.com.
Later that evening, Mary’s accompaniment of Jesus on the way to the cross will be the focus of prayers during Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m. March 25, also at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.
“Also, as announced today by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), all our parishes and faithful of the diocese are invited to join in the Novena Prayer for Peace, as developed by Ukrainian Catholic leaders, commencing today, March 17, and concluding on Friday, March 25, 2022, the day of the consecration by Pope Francis,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen in his letter to the diocese.
“I invite all our parishes to unite in prayer at this time for the intention of the peace for Ukraine, Russia, and all of the world at this extraordinary time of needed grace and blessing.”
CCCB announces Novena from March 17-25:
“In response to Pope Francis’ decision to consecrate both Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Ukrainian Catholic leaders will prepare beforehand with a novena that will start on 17 March 2022. They expressed the hope that all Catholic faithful from around the world will join them. In view of this appeal, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, united with the Holy Father, invite the faithful and all people of good will to participate in the novena March 17 – March 25.” stated the CCCB’s March 17, in a message that included 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.
Related links:
- CCCB News Release: Link to PDF (English) / (Français)
- CCCB Resource – Liturgy of the Word: For Peace in Ukraine – PDF / (Français)
- Article: Pope Francis to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to Mary on March 25
- Article: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon responds to crisis in Ukraine
Help for Ukraine:
Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) – The Ukrainian bishops of Canada are working together with their churches to join CNEWA’s campaign to provide humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
Help the people survive: Click here to DONATE
CCCB Statement on the invasion of Ukraine
[Ottawa – CCCB] – The Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops (CCCB) executive committee released a statement Feb. 24, 2022, condemning the escalation of tensions and violence in Ukraine, marked by Russia’s invasion, militarization and bombing in various Ukrainian cities.“In solidarity with the Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, in unison with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, with the people of Ukraine as well as with Canadians of Ukrainian origin and descent, we encourage the faithful and all people of good will to pray for the imminent restoration of peace, dialogue, and human fraternity,” urges the CCCB statement.
“Conscious of the regrettable lessons about violence which we have all learned throughout human history, we implore all involved to pursue non-violent means to resolve disputes and disagreements. The use of military force does not favour dialogue and peace; rather, it endangers innocent human life, the dignity of the human person and the security and safety of all the people caught up in this conflict.”
The CCCB statement concludes: “Jesus came to bring the gift of peace, and it is through Him that new pathways of dialogue can be opened, even when all other avenues appear closed. With Pope Francis, who has entrusted this situation to the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, we ask Our Lady, through her powerful intercession, to open hearts so that anger, resentment, and division may start to be healed and that any further escalation of unnecessary violence may be avoided.”
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