Washington D.C., Mar 25, 2022 / 18:00 pm
The faithful gathered at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, D.C., on Friday, as Pope Francis consecrated Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
“Ukraine is very devoted to Mary,” 72-year-old Luba Munter from Alexandria, Virginia, told CNA. “So if you're going to do a consecration to Mary, that would be perfect — I think a perfect solution right now.”
Munter, who has family in Ukraine, came with her husband to the shrine’s “Moleben of the Mother of God and Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” During the moleben (a service of intercession or supplication), the priest sang the consecration prayer for Ukraine and Russia at the same time that Pope Francis read it at the Vatican.
Father Andrii Chornopyskyi wore the Marian colors of blue and gold, which match the colors of the Ukraine flag. While much of the moleben was said in Ukrainian, Chornopyskyi spoke in English at a couple of points.