The Second Vatican Council’s 60th anniversary is not the only significant milestone currently being observed by the Church.
Almost to the day 80 years ago, on Oct. 31, 1942, Pope Pius XII committed the Church and the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a radio address to Portugal on the occasion of the Jubilee of the apparitions of Fatima.
In 1952, ten years later, Pius XII devoted the Russian nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
However, few today remember that the desire to renew the consecration actually came from the Second Vatican Council and was accepted by Pope Paul VI.
Almost to the day 80 years ago, on Oct. 31, 1942, Pope Pius XII committed the Church and the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a radio address to Portugal on the occasion of the Jubilee of the apparitions of Fatima.
In 1952, ten years later, Pius XII devoted the Russian nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
However, few today remember that the desire to renew the consecration actually came from the Second Vatican Council and was accepted by Pope Paul VI.
Sister Lucia had a vision of the Holy Trinity and the Immaculate Heart of Mary on June 13, 1929, during which Our Lady told her that “the time had arrived for her longing for Russia to be consecrated to the Holy Church and for God’s promise to convert her.”
According to Sister Lucia, Our Lady emphasized that “the time has come for God to request that the Holy Father, together with all the bishops of the world, consecrate Russia to my Immaculate Heart, so vowing to save her. There are so many souls that God’s justice condemns for my transgressions, so I have come to plead for reparation: “Sacrifice yourself with this goal and pray.”
Through her confessors and the bishop of Leiria, Sister Lucia was able to bring the request of the Madonna to Pope Pius XI, who pledged to consider it.
Sister Lucia reported that the Lord then protested to her that Russia had not been consecrated. “They refused to consider my request. They will, like the king of France, come to regret their decision. However, it will be late. Russia will have already made her blunders in the world, resulting in wars and religious persecution. The Holy Father will endure great suffering.”
The reference was to Louis XIV, the so-called “Sun King” of France.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque requested the application of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the royal flags in 1668. However, Louis XIV did not, and his dynasty fell with Louis XVI to the guillotine.
Sister Lucia composed a number of letters regarding devotion. Sister Lucia wrote directly to the pope on December 2, 1940, requesting that he bless the First Saturdays devotion.
In a radio broadcast to Portugal on the occasion of the Jubilee of the apparitions, Pope Pius XII dedicated the Church and the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 31, 1942.
Following this in 1952, Russia was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And this led to the request of the council’s bishops, and finally to Paul VI’s consecration.