As the world continues to face the ongoing effects of the pandemic of the coronavirus, I invite you to join your prayers with millions of others on Friday, May 1, 2020.
At 2:00 p.m. Central Time on that day, we will renew the consecrations of the United States and Canada to the care of our Blessed Mother under the title of Mary, Mother of the Church.
Through a collective dedication or entrustment of a nation to Mary, an act of consecration is meant to be a reminder to the faithful of the Blessed Mother’s witness to the Gospel and to ask for her effective intercession before her Son on behalf of those in need.
Several popes have consecrated the world to Mary on various occasions. The United States has been consecrated to her on many occasions also.
The renewal of consecration planned for May 1 does not change the designation of Mary as the Patroness of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Rather, this prayer reaffirms and renews previous Marian entrustments, and unites us in solidarity with our Holy Father, who recently established the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.
We will pray for protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure the coronavirus.
Archbishop José Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will lead a brief prayer service with the prayer of re-consecration on Friday, May 1 at 2:00 pm CDT.
To participate, visit https://lacatholics.org/
or or facebook.com/usccb to join the live-stream and pray as one nation.
In the joy of Christ's service,
Bishop Michael J. Sis
San Angelo