In the midst of the war between Israel and Hamas, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, consecrates the Holy Land to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
By Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapić, VMZ
VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, performed an Act of Consecration of the Holy Land to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on Sunday, 29 October, the Solemnity of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine and the Holy Land.
Celebrating Mass in the Marian Shrine of Deir Rafat, the Patriarch consecrated the Church, all humanity, the peoples of the Middle East, and especially the people of the Holy Land to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In the Act of Consecration, he invoked Mary’s help amid the war gripping the Holy land.
He prayed that she might watch over those who suffer, flee from bombardments, or have lost family members in the war.
“We now knock on the door of your heart,” he prayed. “We are your beloved children. We are confident that, in the most troubled moments of our history, you will not be deaf to our supplication and will come to our aid.”
Fading fraternity
Patriarch Pizzaballa prayed that the Blessed Mother will guide world leaders and those who decide the destiny of nations, so that they might decide according to justice and truth, and work for the common good.
He recalled Mary’s words to her Son Jesus at the Wedding at Cana: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3).
“Now, O Mother, repeat those words, for in our own day we have run out of the wine of hope, joy has fled, fraternity has faded,” he said. “We have forgotten our humanity and squandered the gift of peace. How greatly we need your maternal help!”
The Act of Consecration took place during Mass at the Marian Shrine of Deir Rafa, and included a procession with the icon of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine.
Increasing death toll
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 8,000 people have been killed, including 3,500 children, in Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October when Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,400 people.
