When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, it marked the beginning of the end of Soviet communism in Eastern Europe. And, to the amazement of many, the collapse occurred in a relatively peaceful manner, without any major military conflict.
For many Catholics this was understood to be the fruit of the countless Masses and prayers that were offered for the “conversion of Russia” over the course of several decades, as requested by our Blessed Mother in her apparitions at Fatima in 1917. Mary also asked that Russia be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart — a request that Pope St. John Paul II fulfilled to the satisfaction of Sister Lucia (one of the Fatima visionaries) in 1984.
But this is a new Russia we’re dealing with in 2022, so it’s highly appropriate that the nation be consecrated once again to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. This is something Pope Francis will do on March 25, in response to the pleas of Ukraine’s Latin Rite Catholic bishops — whose country will also be included in the consecratory prayers.
In the meantime, we as individuals need to be praying fervently for a peaceful and just resolution to the present conflict in Ukraine. One of the most effective weapons in this regard is the Rosary. The peaceful demise of the old Soviet empire was due, in part, to the many Rosaries that were said for Russia’s conversion by faithful Catholics from 1917 to 1989. Mary, through her powerful heavenly intercession, helped to put an end to an oppressive, godless system of government.
She did it once; she can do it again.
