The Philippines is set to become the first country in the world to consecrate itself entirely to Jesus through Divine Mercy on 27 April Divine Mercy Sunday. This historic initiative, approved by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), will see all dioceses, parishes, and Catholic institutions participate in the consecration during Masses nationwide. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the CBCP, described the act as a “collective response of faith and hope” in the face of global challenges.
Father James Cervantes of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (MIC) played a key role in promoting the idea, which began with a heartfelt letter to bishops across the country. He emphasized that consecration involves radical trust and total surrender to God, renouncing selfish plans and desires. The Prayer of Consecration to Divine Mercy will be recited during Masses instead of the Prayers of the Faithful.
To prepare for this momentous occasion, Cervantes launched a series of videos on the Marian Helpers Philippines Facebook page, aiming to form the nation spiritually. He highlighted the potential for the country to receive abundant graces from God’s infinite mercy if it trusts completely. The Philippines hosts the world’s largest celebration of Divine Mercy, attracting over 57,000 pilgrims to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy. This national consecration reflects the country’s strong devotion to Divine Mercy, seen as “the answer to the world’s problems” by Saint John Paul II.